Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
Summary of Changes
Exclusion of non-process
exchangers used as part of
N/A 1.2 (d) Addition packaged equipment like
compressors, motors, pumps and
turbines from the scope.
The following paragraph numbers refer to API STD 661, 7th Edition, July 2013, which
is part of this specification. The text in each paragraph below is an addition, exception,
modification, or deletion to API STD 661 as noted. Paragraph numbers not appearing
in API STD 661 are new paragraphs to be inserted in numerical order.
1 Scope
1.1 This specification covers the minimum mandatory requirements for the
manufacture of air-cooled heat exchangers (hereinafter referred to as
exchangers)
1.3 Exchangers that do not meet either partially or completely the requirements
of API STD 661 standards shall be evaluated for acceptance by Saudi
Aramco Engineer based on the following:
a) Full design details, specifying changes from API requirements.
b) LSTK and process licensors shall guarantee the thermal performance
and mechanical integrity, supported by detailed calculations.
1.4 Low alloy steels used for exchanger intended for services within the scope of
API RP 934-A, API RP 934-C or API RP 934-E, shall meet all requirements
of the respective document of the aforementioned documents and this
specification.
1.5 1 Cr- ½ Mo and 1 ¼ Cr- ½ Mo steels used for exchangers that are not in
hydrogen service with design temperature below 441°C (825°F), shall meet
all requirements of API RP 934-C and this specification.
Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the
EK&RD Coordinator.
Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company
procedure SAEP-302.
2 Normative References
3.35 Amine Services: All amine solutions including MEA, DGA and ADIP.
3.40 High - Alloy Steels: Steels with a total alloying content more than 5%.
3.46 Saudi Aramco Engineer: The Chairman of the Heat Transfer Equipment
Standards Committee.
3.47 Saudi Aramco Inspector: The person or company authorized by the Saudi
Aramco Inspection Department to inspect exchangers to the requirements of
this specification.
3.48 Sour Services: In exchangers, process conditions, as defined in SAES-A-
133, that can result in sulfide stress cracking (SSC) and hydrogen induced
cracking (HIC).
3.49 Thick Wall Exchanger: An exchanger with header plates greater than
50 mm nominal thickness.
3.50 Non-Critical Installations: Installations which are not defined as critical.
4 General
4.10 Stress analyses according to the Code rules shall be executed by the
manufacturer. A third party under full control and responsibility of the
manufacturer may execute only finite element analysis.
4.17 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall neither prepare nor certify a User’s
Design Specification.
5 Proposals
5.11 The proposal shall include a detailed description of any exception to the
requirements of this specification.
5.12 The Exchanger Manufacturer may offer an alternative design, but must
also quote on the base inquiry documents.
5.14 The following shall be guaranteed for the length of the warranty period
specified in the purchase order or contract documents:
1) Exchangers shall meet thermal/hydraulic performance requirements
under continuous operation at design conditions specified on the
datasheets. Thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical guarantee shall be
in accordance with TEMA SEC 3, (paragraph G 5).
2) Exchangers shall perform the required design heat duty without
exceeding design air flow rates and/or maximum allowable
pressure drop.
3) Sound levels at all specified operating conditions based on the
procedures of SAES-A-105.
4) Vibration limits of the complete assembly in accordance with the
requirements specified in this specification.
5.15 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall consider both normal and “fans off”
operating modes when assessing temperature exposure of materials and
parts.
5.16 Proposal shall identify all louver materials, louver manufacturers, louver
blade type (parallel or opposed) and confirm suitability of louver
materials at applicable design temperatures.
6 Documentation
6.1.4 (Exception) The Exchanger Manufacturer shall prepare and submit for
approval all proposed welding maps, welding procedures, and welding
procedure qualifications including tube-to-tubesheet welding procedures
and qualifications (including impact test results, if applicable) prior to
start of fabrication.
6.1.6 (Exception) The Exchanger Manufacturer shall prepare and submit for
review and approval the additional engineering information required for
installation, operation, maintenance, and inspection in accordance with
Form SA-7922-2, Nonmaterial Requirements.
6.4 Drawings and calculations that are approved by the Design Engineer
shall not relieve the Exchanger Manufacturer from the responsibility to
comply with the Codes and this specification.
6.5 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall prepare drawings, which indicate the
ultrasonic readings thickness of the exchanger headers and nozzles.
An adequate number of readings shall be taken to represent the actual
thickness of the components.
7 Design
7.1.1 General
7.1.1.13 Each tube bundle shall have one header free to move with thermal
expansion of the tubes and shall have sliding plates at the moving end
both on structure and on bundle.
7.1.3.3 The value of the minimum design metal temperature (MDMT) shall be
as specified on the data sheet.
7.1.3.4 The MDMT shall be used to determine the requirements for impact
testing in accordance with the Code and this specification.
7.1.4.1 The value of design pressure shall be as specified on the data sheet.
7.1.6 Headers
7.1.6.1 General
For vacuum services such as steam turbine surface condensers and for
design pressures in excess of 14000 kPa (2000 psi), pipe manifold or
other suitable header type may be proposed for review by the Saudi
Aramco Engineer.
7.1.6.1.10 Headers handling two phase mixtures shall be designed for good flow
distribution over tubes and passes.
7.1.6.2.3 (Exception) Removable cover plate and removable bonnet designs shall
be through-bolt designs using stud bolts and nuts on both sides.
7.1.6.2.12 Cover plate headers shall not be used in hydrogen, sour or lethal service.
7.1.6.2.13 Design pressure of cover plate headers shall not exceed 2,100 kPa gauge
(300 psig).
7.1.8 Gaskets
7.1.8.10 Cover plate and bonnet joints shall be designed with confined or semi-
confined gaskets.
7.1.9.11 (Exception) 1½ NPS and smaller drains, vents and instrument connections
can be used and shall be attached to a blind flange on a flanged nozzle in
other than the following design conditions and services:
a) Lethal service
b) Hydrogen service
c) Caustic service
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d) Cyclic service
e) Pressure-retaining parts thicker than 50 mm
7.1.9.23 Slip-on type flange with seamless pipe nozzle necks or rolled plate with
100% radiography is permissible for exchangers, in only non-cyclic air
and water services with design temperature and design pressure not
exceeding 400°C (750°F) and 2.1 MPA (300 psi), respectively. Slip-on
flange shall be welded on the front or face and at the back of the hub per
ASME SEC VIII D1, Figure UW-21, detail (1), (2) or (3).
7.1.9.24 Unless otherwise specified on the data sheet, the minimum projections
for nozzle necks, as measured from the outside surface of the header to
the face of a flange, shall meet the following requirements:
a) 6 in. for NPS 6 nozzles and smaller.
b) 8 in. for NPS 8 nozzles and larger.
c) For insulated exchangers, projection shall be sufficient to allow
bolting of studs without interference with the insulation.
d) For exchangers drain connections and other connections, where a
process stream is likely to be stagnant, the projection shall not
exceed three times the connection nominal diameter.
7.1.9.26 Flange bolt holes shall straddle the normal horizontal and vertical
centerlines of the exchanger.
7.1.9.28 Outlet nozzles for total condensers shall be sized for free draining such
that flooding does not occur in the bottom tube rows.
7.1.9.29 Nozzles shall be flush with the inside of the header box. Nozzles shall
be designed to avoid impingement on tube ends, flow restriction, and
uneven flow distribution.
7.1.9.32 Exchangers in services other than air and water shall be provided with a
minimum 2-inch NPS flanged steam-out connection.
7.1.9.33.1 The ASME pressure classes and facings shall be as specified on the data
sheet.
7.1.9.33.2 Bolted joints specified with non-ASME flanges shall be designed to meet
all anticipated loading conditions of the exchanger.
7.1.9.33.3 Pressure ratings for standard flanges shall be in accordance with the
following:
a) ASME B16.5 for flanges NPS 24 and smaller.
b) ASME B16.47, Series A for flanges larger than NPS 24.
7.1.9.34.1 All headers and nozzles necks shall be attached by welding completely
through the total thickness.
b. Lethal, hydrogen and cyclic services. Figure UW-16.1, Table 4.2.10, details:
• Connections
details: (c) (3)
attached to
nozzles
c. Low alloy steel exchangers with design
7.1.9.35 All nozzles shall be attached to the header by full penetration welds.
7.1.10 Maximum Allowable Moments and Forces for Nozzles and Headers
7.1.10.5 The Design Engineer shall calculate the forces and moments acting on
inlet and outlet connections based on allowable bundle movements and
frictional forces advised by the Exchanger Manufacturer. The Design
Engineer shall also take into account the moments and forces acting on
the headers due to piping loads.
7.1.11 Tubes
7.1.11.7 (Exception) The finned tubes shall be either extruded or embedded type
per API STD 661 A.3.3 guidelines. Embedded fins shall be used for
cyclic services.
7.1.11.13 (Exception) Elliptical tubes could be used only with the A-Frame
condensers as alternative to the cylindrical type. The proposal shall be
reviewed by the Saudi Aramco Engineer.
7.1.11.14 Design and selection of fins shall be such that fins will not suffer any
distortion when subjected to the design requirements with fans out of
service.
7.1.11.15 Tube sizes and spacing shall be uniform throughout bundles in the same
unit. Using different tube sizes in the same unit for condensers type shall
be on a case-by-case basis.
7.2.1 General
7.2.1.1 (Exception) The Design Engineer shall specify all meteorological data,
and location of exchanger with respect to other buildings and equipment
on the data sheet.
7.2.1.8 (Exception) The Design Engineer shall estimate the design exposure
temperatures for mechanical components using conventional heat
transfer analyses and shall submit the estimate to the Saudi Aramco
Engineer for review.
7.2.1.9 Hot-air re-circulation units shall be designed so that the motors and the
drivers are not exposed to heated re-circulated air temperature higher
than their design temperature.
7.2.1.10 Gear- box vents, oil filters, sight glasses, and lubrication connections
shall be located outside the plenums.
7.2.1.11 When requested, Exchanger Manufacturer shall quote for the supply of a
centralized lubrication grease system. The grease pump shall be
designed for an automatic operation.
7.2.1.12 Air cooled heat exchanger components that may be exposed to high
temperatures shall be capable of withstanding the following maximum
inlet temperatures with fans out of service over prolonged period of time
(at least 48 hours).
a. Maximum process inlet temperature shown on individual item data
sheet less 28°C (50°F) (power failure).
b. Steamout service with fans not running.
7.2.1.13 Air seals shall be provided between bays to minimize air recirculation.
7.2.2.4 Design Engineer shall specify limits for the sound pressure levels (SPL)
per fan at the designated locations, on Form SA-7305.
The Exchanger Manufacturer shall complete Form SA-7305 and ensure
that the required limits as specified for SPL can be achieved by
supplying test results of a representative bay.
7.2.2.5 Sound pressure level shall be limited to 85 dBA maximum per fan drive
at 1 m (3 ft) below the bundle.
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7.2.3.14 (Exception) To avoid damage to fan blades due to vibration, the blade
pass frequency shall not fall within 80 to 120% of the fan blade assembly
fundamental operating natural frequency.
7.2.3.17 Actuators for auto-variable pitch fans must be provided with maximum
pitch stops. The maximum design blade setting shall be marked on the
hub nameplate.
7.2.3.18 Induced draft fans shall have all mounting and bearing arrangements
designed to allow removal and installation of fans and hubs without
damaging the bundles.
7.2.3.19 Fan hub seal disc shall be provided to prevent reverse airflow.
7.2.4.7 Exchangers with enclosed plenums with hot air re-circulation shall be
equipped with fan shaft bearing vibration transducers to permit
monitoring of bearings from outside the enclosure.
7.2.6.1 (Exception) Removable fan guards shall be provided for both the forced
and the induced draft exchangers.
7.2.7 Drivers
7.2.7.1 General
7.2.7.1.3 All drives shall be mounted beneath the tube bundles, except for
situations where the moisture content of the inlet air is artificially
increased for performance improvement purposes.
7.2.7.1.4 Lubrication and shaft sealing of drivers shall be in accordance with 32-
SAMSS-013.
7.2.7.2.11 Motors shall be designed for variable frequency drive (VFD) application.
7.2.8.2.1 (Exception) Belt drives shall be of the synchronous high torque (toothed)
type.
7.2.9.1 (Exception) Vibration switches shall be provided for each fan and
shutdown protection device shall be activated by an electric signal from
a seismic vibration.
7.2.10 Louvers
7.2.10.26 All control louvers shall be provided with side mounted hand handles.
7.3.1 General
7.3.1.7 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall supply all required structural steel
including platforms, walkways, hand-railing, and ladders, as specified by
the Design Engineer in accordance with this specification.
7.3.1.8 For grade mounted units, the minimum headroom clearance shall not be
less than 2.13 m (7 ft) measured from the fan guard or tube bundle and
grade.
7.3.1.9 For pipe-rack mounted units, the supporting of drivers shall be as follows:
a. For units with bottom mounted drivers, minimum vertical clear
distance of 2.13 m (7 ft) shall be maintained between bottom of fan
7.3.1.11 Each bay shall be provided with a grounding lug connection welded to
the support column.
7.3.1.12 Natural frequencies of structural members shall not be within 10% of the
fundamental excitation frequencies resulting from the fan speed and
motor speed. This applies to both shop-tested and field-tested structure.
7.3.2.4 Vibration in any axis on all bearings shall be less than 4 mm/sec RMS,
and 10 m/sec. sec. (1 g) RMS in the frequency range of 0-5 kHz.
7.3.2.5 Structural members shall be designed such that vibration is less than
6 mm/sec root mean square (RMS) and 150 micrometers peak to peak
unfiltered.
7.3.3.13.2 Anchor bolts shall be designed for load combinations, based on the
allowable stress design method (Service Loads) in accordance with
SAES-M-001.
7.3.3.13.4 Combined stresses due to test pressure, including static head, and
minimum of 25% of wind load shall be within the following allowable
7.3.3.13.5 The use of a pneumatic test may be considered when it will result in
significant cost savings in the exchanger and/or its supporting structural/
foundation. Such test requires prior approval of the Saudi Aramco
Inspector.
7.3.3.14.1 Where applicable, the requirements for thermal stress and fatigue stress
analyses shall be as specified on the data sheet. Analysis methods and
stress combination limits presented in Division 2, Section 5, shall be
used for exchangers under scope of Division 1 and Division 2.
However, allowable stresses shall be taken from the respective tables of
ASME SEC II for each division for the corresponding material and
temperature.
7.3.3.14.2 The Design Engineer is responsible for specifying the heat transfer
coefficients to be used for all thermal stress analysis.
7.3.5.10 A 1,070 mm wide platform shall be provided for each header for the
length of each header. Crosswalks 760 mm wide shall connect header
access platforms at the ends of each bank. An intermediate walkways
intervals shall be provided when the bank length exceeded 40 m.
Interconnections between maintenance and header walkways shall not be
used to satisfy the intermediate connection requirements.
7.3.5.11 One stairway from grade to both header walkway and maintenance
walkway shall be provided and one ladder at the other end. For banks
60 m or more in length one stairway shall be provided at each end of
each bank.
7.3.5.12 Pipe- rack -mounted banks 60 m and shorter shall be provided with one
stairway at one end and ladder at the other. Banks greater than 60 m
shall have intermediate ladders to grade on each side and spaced not
more than 30 m with access to both maintenance and header walkways.
7.3.6.6 Structures shall be designed to permit use for the handling and rigging of
driver assemblies that are not accessible to mobile handling and lifting
equipment.
7.3.6.7 Structure shall be designed to lift the heaviest piece of equipment, which
may be lifted with a 25% impact allowance, but not less than 460 kg
(1,000 lb.).
8 Materials
8.1 GENERAL
8.1.2 (Exception) Cast iron pressure parts shall not be used for any service.
8.1.7 Use of alternative materials of construction for carbon and low alloy
steels exchangers shall be on a case-by-case basis and must comply with
all the requirements of the applicable Code and this specification.
8.1.8 All materials must be clearly identified and provided with legible
original or certified true copies of Mill Test Certificates. Lack of
adequate identification and certification shall be cause for rejection.
8.1.9 Material specifications and tests procedures for base metal and
weldments materials for 1 Cr- ½ Mo, 1 ¼ Cr- ½ Mo, 2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo,
2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V, 3 Cr-1 Mo and 3 Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V shall include all
applicable requirements of this specification for ordering the materials
from the mill.
8.1.11 Use of solid high alloy steels shall be limited to permitted grades as per
SAES-L-132. Use of solid stainless steel, if not prohibited by SAES-L-
132, shall be on a case-by-case basis based on the design temperature,
minimum design metal temperature and intended service.
8.1.16 The inclusion content of forgings shall be rated using one of the methods
specified in ASTM E45.
8.1.17 Specimens for material testing shall be taken for the maximum heat-
treated thickness (T) per the following:
a) Plates
Specimens shall be taken from each plate transverse to the rolling
direction in accordance with SA-20 at the standard test locations
and at a depth of ½T location. If required, ½T specimens should be
used for hot tensile and step cooling tests.
b) Plate-like forgings (forged rings, tubesheets, blind flanges, etc.)
Specimens shall be taken from each heat transverse to the major
The center axis of the specimen for all materials taken shall be at a
depth of ½T and the mid-length of the test specimen shall be at a
depth at least equal to T from any second heat-treated surface.
e) Pipe
Specimens shall be taken from each heat and lot of pipe, transverse
to the major working direction in accordance with used material
specification except that test specimens should be taken from a
depth of ½T.
f) A separate test block, if used, should be made from the same heat
and should receive substantially the same reduction and type of hot
working as the production forgings that it represents. It should be
of the same nominal thickness as the production forgings and shall
be machined to essentially the finished product configuration prior
to heat treatment. The separate test forgings should be heat-treated
in the same furnace charge and under the same conditions as the
production forgings.
8.1.19 Low alloy steels shall not be mixed. For example, an exchanger
requiring 1 Cr-½ Mo materials shall have all components manufactured
from 1 Cr-½ Mo.
8.1.20 Low alloy steels shall be specified in the normalized and tempered
(N+T) or quenched and tempered (Q+T) conditions, based on the
required mechanical material’s properties (strength, toughness, creep-
resistance, etc.) and considering thermal treatments specified in
paragraph 8.1.14 of this specification.
8.1.21 Material for nameplate mounting brackets shall be of the same type and
material grade as the pressure retaining component to which it is attached.
8.1.22 Materials of lugs shall be same material as exchanger wall base material.
8.1.25 Material of construction for anchor bolts shall be ASTM A193 / A193M,
ASTM F1554 Grade 36 or ASTM F1554 Grade 105 with the
corresponding material of construction for nuts according to SASD
AA-036322.
8.1.26 SA-105 shall not be used for applications requiring impact testing.
8.1.29 All components (headers, tubes, partition plates, stays, nozzles, covers,
rings, standard flanges, special forgings, forged rings, attachments, etc.)
shall be fabricated and machined by Saudi Aramco approved heat
exchanger manufacturers.
8.1.30 All raw materials used for exchanger components (headers plates, tubes,
partition plates, stay plates, nozzles, covers, standard flanges, etc.) shall
be procured from approved Saudi Aramco suppliers as applicable.
8.1.32 All heat exchanger nozzles “made from pipes” shall be procured in
accordance with 01-SAMSS-043 and 01-SAMSS-046 requirements from
approved Saudi Aramco suppliers.
8.1.33 All heat exchanger forged and wrought fittings shall be procured in
accordance with 02-SAMSS-005 requirements from approved Saudi
Aramco suppliers.
8.1.34 All exchanger manufacturers shall have the required equipment for
header boxes fabrication, bundles assembly, and pressure testing either
in-house or in a wholly owned subsidiary approved by Saudi Aramco.
It is not acceptable to outsource any of the above operations.
8.1.36 Bare tubes shall be procured from approved Saudi Aramco suppliers per
applicable tubes' commodities.
8.5.8 Steel used for slide plates shall be Type 316 stainless steel. Carbon steel
slide plates shall not be used.
8.6.3 Minimum acceptable Charpy impact energy values for all materials of
construction (base and weld metals) shall not be less than the highest of
the following applicable values:
8.6.4 For Div. 1 exchangers the impact testing exemptions of UG-20 (f),
UCS-66 (b) (1) and (3), UCS-68(c), UG-84 (b) (2) and by reference to
Table UG-84.4 are not permitted. For Div. 2 exchangers the exemptions
of 3.11.2.3, 3.11.2.4, 3.11.2.5, 3.11.2.6, 3.11.2.8, 3.11.2.10, 3.11.3.1, and
3.11.4 are not permitted.
8.6.6 Impact testing of materials and welding procedures are required when
test temperature is lower than -28°C.
8.7 All forgings shall be forged as close as practicable to finished shape and
size to develop metal flow in a direction most favorable for resisting the
stresses encountered in service.
8.8 Elevated temperature tensile test shall be performed for 2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo,
2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V, 3 Cr-1 Mo and 3 Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V steels at the design
temperature. Test specimens should be in the maximum PWHT
condition, considering thermal treatments specified in paragraph 8.1.14
of this specification. Acceptance value is 85% of values listed in
ASME SEC IID, Table - U for the test temperature.
8.9.6 Step cooling tests of the base metal are required for 2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo,
2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V, 3 Cr-1 Mo and 3 Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V steels, unless impact
testing at -80°F (-62°C) results in 40 ft-lb (55 Joules) average minimum
and no single value below 35 ft-lb (48 Joules).
8.11 Low alloy steels for vessels intended for services within the scope of API
RP 934-A, API RP 934-C or API RP 934-E, shall meet all requirements
of the respective document of the aforementioned documents and this
specification.
8.12 1Cr-½ Mo and 1¼ Cr-½ Mo steels used for vessels that are not in
hydrogen service with design temperature below 441°C (825°F), shall
meet all requirements of API RP 934-C and this specification.
9.1 Welding
9.1.1 General
9.1.1.7 The beveled edges of weld preparations for carbon steel plates with
thickness 25 mm and thicker and all ferrous alloy plates shall be
magnetic particle examined for linear discontinuities. Liquid Penetrant
examination shall be employed for non-ferrous steels. Defects shall not
exceed limits as per ASME SA-20.
9.1.1.9 Set-in nozzles shall be ground flush to the inside of the headers with a
smooth inner edge radius.
9.1.1.11 Dissimilar metal welds (DMW) are not permitted in sulfide stress
cracking environment as defined in this specification.
9.1.1.16 Weld overlay per paragraph 9.1.1.15 shall have smooth contour finished
surfaces where there is change in geometry for highly stressed areas
(such as nozzle welds in headers and RTJ grooves).
9.1.1.17 Necessary logistic fabrication steps shall be taken to ensure that highly
restrained joints, such as nozzle welds in headers and RTJ grooves, in
exchangers constructed of 2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V and 3 Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V steels
are welded continuously throughout the welding process without any
stop, i.e., from start of the first welding pass to completion of welding
the joint.
9.1.1.19 For services requiring impact test, welding procedures shall be qualified
for at least 80% of the time for any heat treatment after welding required
per paragraphs 8.1.14 (a) and 8.1.14 (b) of this specification.
9.1.1.20 Production Test Coupons, if required as per Code, shall be subject after
welding to the production heat treatment time per paragraphs 8.1.14 (a)
and 8.1.14 (b) of this specification.
9.1.1.22 When production test coupons require multiple thermal heat treatment
cycles to be simulated, the multiple cycles shall not be combined into
one cycle.
9.1.1.24 All external non-pressure welded attachments shall have their corners
rounded to a minimum radius of 25 mm (1 in.) and shall be fully seal
welded.
9.2.4 Postweld heat treatment (PWHT) shall be done when required by the
applicable Code or when specified on the data sheet.
9.2.6 Code exemptions for postweld heat treatment of P4 and P5 materials are
not permitted for applications involving the following:
a) Sour services
b) Hydrogen services
c) Materials exceeding 2.5% nominal chromium content
9.2.7 The maximum post weld heat treating soaking temperature for quenched
and tempered carbon and low alloy steel materials shall not exceed either
the tempering temperature shown on the Mill Test Reports or the
following:
• 650°C maximum for carbon steel
• 700°C maximum for low alloy steels.
9.2.8 Final postweld heat treatment (PWHT) shall follow all welding and
repairs but shall be performed prior to any hydrotest or other load test.
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9.2.9 A sign shall be painted on a postweld heat treated exchanger and located
such that it is clearly visible from grade:
9.2.11 The holding temperature for postweld heat treatment for carbon steel
exchangers shall be 620°C – 650°C (1,150°F – 1,200°F).
9.3.1.7 Tubes are normally expanded into the tubesheet. However, the tubes
shall be expanded and strength welded to the tubesheet when one or
more of the following conditions is/are met,:
a) Design pressure is equal to or greater than 7,000 kPa (ga)
(1,000 psig).
b) Hydrogen, cyclic or lethal service.
c) Services with operating temperature exceeding 205°C (400°F).
d) Required by the Code or process licensor.
9.3.1.9 Tube expansion and tube-end welding (where specified) procedures shall
be submitted to the Saudi Aramco Inspector for review and approval
before start of fabrication.
9.3.1.10 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall submit a mock-up sample of the tube
to tubesheet weld when tubes are strength welded to the tubesheet.
This sample shall contain a minimum of four tubes and shall be prepared
using the same materials and fabrication procedures (including heat
treatment) as are to be used in actual production. Approval from the
Saudi Aramco Inspector is required prior to start of production. No need
to repeat the test if similar joint design was done in the past 6-months by
the same welding personnel.
9.4.4 Nozzle gasket seating surfaces shall comply with the following:
1) For spiral wound gaskets, 125 to 250 AARH, in all services, except
hydrogen.
2) For spiral wound gaskets in hydrogen service, 125 to 150 AARH.
3) The sidewalls of ring joint flanges, in all services, 63 AARH.
The following tubes shall be stress relief heat treated after cold forming and
bending:
1) U bends, including 150 mm of straight portions measured from the
tangent line of all carbon steel tubes for exchangers in caustic, sour
services, and amine services
2) Monel, brass and all chrome alloy tubes in all services
9.9.1 General
a) Cold forming for carbon steels shall be performed at temperatures
within the range of above 20°C (68°F) and below 120°C (248°F).
b) Hot forming is any forming performed above the austenite phase
start temperature of 740°C (1364°F).
c) All tempering heat treatments for all carbon steels must be at least
25°C (45°F) above the nominal PWHT temperature as given in the
applicable ASME code for the respective material. The tempering
temperature must not exceed the temperature stated in the steel
manufacturers Material Test Certificate.
d) There are no restrictions for tempering temperature of 1 Cr- ½ Mo,
1 ¼ Cr- ½ Mo, 2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo, 2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V, 3 Cr-1 Mo, and
3 Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V steels, provided that the requirements of paragraph
8.1.14 are met.
9.10 Bolt tensioning device shall be used for bolting up flanged connections
with stud bolts of diameter 1-½ inch and above. Bolt up of flanges,
irrespective of bolt diameter shall be according to ASME PCC-1
requirements.
9.11 Production test coupons are required for hot forming. The coupons shall
simulate all heat treatment cycles expected during and after forming, and
any post weld heat treatment cycles by exchanger manufacturer specified
per section 8.1.14 of this specification. The tests to be performed shall
include, but not limited to, all of the mechanical tests required by the
original material specification.
Commentary Note:
Weld spacing requirements for nozzle welds in exchangers under the scope
of API RP 934-A constructed of 2 ¼ Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V and 3 Cr-1 Mo- ¼ V shall
be according to paragraph 9.12.4 of this specification.
9.12.2 NDE per paragraph 10.1.41 shall be performed, where the optimized
fabrication layout and/ or process design requirements do not absolutely
allow meeting the spacing requirement in paragraph 9.12.1 of this
specification.
9.12.3 It is prohibited to cover butt and corner welds in wall of exchangers that
will undergo PWHT by structural attachments (with or without
reinforcing pads).
10.1.19 All required NDE for final acceptance of the exchanger shall be
performed after the completion of all welding and repairs and prior to
pressure testing. In exchangers requiring PWHT, all NDE for final
acceptance shall be performed after the final PWHT.
10.1.22 All pressure and non-pressure welds in exchangers that are not required
to undergo PWHT shall be visually inspected where accessible.
All segments of longitudinal or circumferential pressure weld seams
covered or rendered inaccessible by internals, lifting lugs or other
attachments shall be fully radiographed over the entire affected length
plus minimum 50 mm (2 in.) either side prior to installation of the
attachment.
10.1.23 Additional examination of any weld joint at any stage of the fabrication
may be requested by the Saudi Aramco Inspector, including re-
examination of previously examined joints. The Saudi Aramco Inspector
also has the right to request or conduct independent NDE of any joint.
If such examination should disclose nonconformance to the requirements
of the applicable Code or this specification, all repair and NDE costs
shall be done at the Exchanger Manufacturer's expense.
10.1.24 All necessary safety precautions shall be taken for each examination
method.
10.1.26 Examination of all welds shall include a band of base metal at least one
inch wide on each side of the weld.
10.1.27 The Saudi Aramco Inspector shall have free access to the work at all
times.
10.1.28 Saudi Aramco shall have the right to inspect the fabrication at any stage
and to reject material or workmanship, which does not conform to the
specified requirements.
10.1.29 Saudi Aramco reserves the right to inspect, photograph, and/or videotape
all material, fabrication, coating, and workmanship and any materials,
equipment, or tools used or to be used for any part of the work to be
performed.
10.1.30 Saudi Aramco may reject the use of any materials, equipment, or tools
that do not conform to the specification requirements, jeopardize safety
of personnel, or impose hazard of damage to Saudi Aramco property.
10.1.31 All of the rights of Saudi Aramco and their designated representatives
for access, documentation, inspection, and rejection shall include any
work done by sub-contractors or sub-vendors.
10.1.32 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall provide the Saudi Aramco Inspector
all reasonable facilities to satisfy him that the work is being performed as
specified.
10.1.33 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall furnish, install, and maintain in a safe
operating condition all necessary scaffolding, ladders, walkways, and
lighting for a safe and thorough inspection.
10.1.34 Prior to final inspection and pressure testing, the inside and outside of
the exchanger shall be thoroughly cleaned of all slag, scale, dirt, grit,
weld spatter, paint, oil, etc.
10.1.35 Inspection at the mill, shop, or fabrication yard shall not release the
Exchanger Manufacturer from responsibility for repairing or replacing
any defective material or workmanship that may be subsequently
discovered in the field.
10.1.36.1 All radiography shall be performed with intensifying screens. Only lead
or lead foil (fluoro-metallic) screens shall be permitted unless otherwise
approved by the Saudi Aramco Inspection Department.
10.1.37.2 All plates with thickness more than and including 50 mm (2.0 in.) shall be
ultrasonically examined by the Exchanger Manufacturer in accordance
with ASTM SA578. Acceptance criteria shall be Level C of SA-578.
10.1.37.3 Plates with thickness more than 12.5 mm (0.5 in.) and less than 50 mm
(2.0 in.) shall be ultrasonically examined by the Exchanger Manufacturer
in accordance with ASME SA-435. Any area where one or more
discontinuities produce a continuous total loss of back reflection
accompanied by continuous indications on the same plane (within 5% of
plate thickness) that cannot be encompassed within a 25 mm (1 in.)
diameter circle is unacceptable.
10.1.37.4 100% Ultrasonic examination is required for the following weld joints:
a) Full-penetration welds in external attachments (brackets, lugs, etc.)
to pressure retaining parts.
10.1.38.2 Prods are not permitted for use on air-hardenable materials, materials
which require impact testing, and on the fluid side of pressured
components for exchangers in sour services.
10.1.38.4 All edges prepared for welding and all openings in ferromagnetic
exchangers shall be 100% magnetic particle examined in accordance
with the applicable Code.
10.1.39.2 All edges prepared for welding and all openings in non-ferromagnetic
exchangers shall be 100% liquid penetrant examined in accordance with
the applicable Code.
10.1.39.3 For non-ferro magnetic forgings all surfaces shall be examined utilizing
liquid penetrant examination after final machining.
Painting may be applied prior to pressure testing for parts which are not
accessible after bundle assembly. All pressure retaining welds shall be
exposed for inspection during pressure testing. After completion of pressure
testing, clean the weld surfaces as required and apply the required painting on
the welds.
10.2.10 Pressure testing for acceptance of the exchanger shall not be made prior
to the final postweld heat treatment.
10.2.11 The use of shellacs, glues, lead, etc., on gaskets during testing is
prohibited.
10.2.12 The Exchanger Manufacturer shall furnish all test materials and
facilities, including blinds, bolting, and gaskets.
10.2.13 Hydrostatic pressure testing shall be performed with gaskets and bolting
identical to those required in service and as specified on the data sheet.
These gaskets may be used as service gaskets if the bolted joint is not
disassembled after completion of hydrostatic pressure testing.
10.2.19 Exchangers shall be protected from being over pressured, while being
pressure tested, by use of pressure test relief valve(s) meeting the
following:
a) Relief valves shall prevent pressure from rising more than 3% or
5 psi, whichever is greater, above the test pressure, provided that
requirements of paragraph 7.3.3.13.4 of this specification are met.
b) Sizing of relief valve(s) shall be according to API RP520, Part I.
c) The relief valve(s) shall be tested, dated, and tagged within one
week prior to the pressure test.
d) The pressure test relief valve shall be accompanied with a
calibration certificate that includes the cold differential test
pressure (CDTP), test date and the spring range. The CDTP shall
be within the spring range.
10.5 Nameplates
10.5.5 Each exchanger shall be identified by a nameplate and marked with the
information required by the applicable Code and the requirements of this
specification.
10.5.6 Nameplate and nameplate mounting brackets shall be located such that
the nameplate will not be covered by insulation and is easily readable
from grade or platform. Brackets shall extend from the outside of the
exchanger to clear insulation, and with sufficient access for surface
preparation and painting. The nameplate markings as required by the
applicable Code shall be stamped or engraved such that the nameplate
material is permanently deformed with the symbols.
10.5.7 Exchangers shall be Code stamped for all services in accordance with the
applicable Code.
10.5.9 Nameplate for internally coated exchangers shall show: the Saudi
Aramco Painting System Numbers, type of coating, brand name, and
date of application.
11.1 General
11.1.9 Flanged connections and all other machined surfaces shall be protected
by a coating suitable for the metallurgy of the exchanger and can be
easily removed in the field. Connections shall be fitted with steel or
wood cover, 3 mm thick, and neoprene gaskets.
11.1.11 Flanges with permanent blind flanges or covers shall be secured with the
gaskets and bolting specified for service.
11.1.12 Tell-tale holes in reinforcing pads shall be protected with wooden plugs
or packed with rust preventative grease.
11.1.15 Export packaging marking and shipping shall be in accordance with the
purchase order.
11.1.17.1 For carbon steel and stainless steel fully assembled heat exchangers,
spray interior surfaces with a volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI). The
dosage rates shall be as per VCI manufacturer recommendations. If
possible, vapor phase inhibitor powder shall be sprayed directly into the
tubes so that it can be easily detected exiting from the opposite end of the
tube. For copper alloy construction, compatible VCI product shall be
specified. Exchangers must be sealed vapor tight using metallic covers
for the inhibitor to be effective.
11.1.17.2 The external surfaces shall be protected by preparing the surface and
fully coating the external surfaces using the specified Saudi Aramco
coating specification prior to shipment.
11.1.17.3 Solid stainless steel exchangers which are to be shipped by ocean freight
or are to be stored in a coastal or near coastal location but are not
specified to be coated in service shall be protected by the application of a
temporary soft external coating. Coating shall be removed prior to
service using a non-caustic steam wash. Alternatively, solid stainless
steel exchangers shall be 100% wrapped and sealed in a 4-mil thick
anticorrosion polyethylene film containing vapor phase corrosion
inhibitor. Equipment that is an emergency spare for long term storage
shall be 100% wrapped and sealed in 10-mil thick anticorrosion
polyethylene film containing vapor phase corrosion inhibitor. Stainless
steel exchangers shipped by ocean freight must be protected from sea
spray, rain, etc.
11.1.17.4 Components (such as headers, etc.) shipped separately from shells must
be adequately protected and supported to prevent mechanical and
corrosion damage. Tube internals shall be protected using a volatile
corrosion inhibitor (VCI) as detailed in Paragraph 11.1.17.1 above.
External surfaces shall be protected by spraying with a volatile corrosion
inhibitor (VCI). These coatings must be removed prior to operation in
cases where they might cause a contamination problem. Alternatively,
the complete tube bundle shall be 100% wrapped and sealed in a 4-mil
thick anticorrosion polyethylene film containing volatile corrosion
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©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved Page 52 of 56
11.1.22 For exchangers which have permanent internal coatings, the Exchanger
Manufacturer shall contact the Saudi Aramco Engineer for any corrosion
protection required.
11.1.23 Martensitic stainless steels such as Type 410 and Type 420 are
particularly prone to atmospheric corrosion especially when shipped by
sea. The Manufacturer shall prepare a preservation and shipping plan for
approval by CSD.
11.1.24 For dry gas and liquefied gas systems, excess powder vapor phase
inhibitors shall be removed from major equipment at a convenient point
in construction operations before start-up if there could be a risk of
compressor fouling, filter plugging, or similar problems.
11.1.25 Bolt and plug heads shall also be protected with a rust preventative
compound to prevent corrosion during shipment, storage and construction.
11.1.26 Spare bolts and plugs shall be protected with a rust preventative
compound to prevent corrosion during shipment, storage, and
construction.
11.2.5 Type of coating and painting systems shall be as specified on the data
sheet.
11.2.6 Surfaces to be coated shall be cleaned and prepared prior to its coating in
accordance with SAES-H-001.
11.2.7 Gasket contact surfaces shall be properly protected from blasting and shall
not be coated or painted.
12 Supplemental Requirements
12.1 General
Revision Summary
24 June 2020 Major revision to capture all recent changes from 32-SAMSS-004, 32-SAMSS-007 and 32-
SAMSS-028.
21 July 2019 Editorial revision to remove reference.
29 April 2019 Editorial revision to confirm the contents.
2 July 2017 This major revision to the materials specification is to:
1- Overlay and align with API STD 661.
2- Re-affirm its contents against company needs.
3- Clarify some requirements in the document.
Note 1: NDE for final acceptance of the exchanger shall be performed after the final PWHT per paragraph 10.1.19 of this
specification.
Note 2: 100% UT, employing methods that generate permanent records, must be approved by Inspection Department prior to
commencement of any work.
Note 3: Table-2 is only applicable for design conditions/ services Group II.