Professional Training and Consultation

API 510 Preparatory

20 – 31 August 2005, Al-Khobar
Page 1 of 3
DAILY POINTS TO RECALL (DAY 9)

1. Vessel inspections are for the safety, continuity, reliability.

2. Graphitization in Carbon Steels takes place due to prolonged
exposure in 825 to 1400 deg. F range resulting in decomposition
of Steel into Ferrite Crystals and Graphite Nodules. In-situ
metallography is used to detect the Graphitization
3. External inspection of Pressure Vessels and Exchangers should
start with ladders, platforms, stairways connected to or bearing on
vessel.
4. External surfaces of vessels shall be examined for not only for
corrosion but also for leaks, cracks, buckles, etc.
5. If any settling is seen on vessel, nozzles and adjacent shell area
shall be inspected for distortion and cracking.
6. Hammer test shall be followed by suitable NDT.
7. Grounding connection resistance shall not exceed 25 ohms but 5
ohms is normally preferred.
8. In presence of acidic corrodents (PH < 7) hydrogen blistering is
expected above and below (close to) liquid level.
9. Auxiliary equipments (Pressure gauges, sight glass, safety valves
etc. may be visually inspected while in service. Undue vibrations
shall be arrested by providing additional supports or qualified
engineer should determine if these could lead to fatigue failure.
10. First step for internal inspection is review of previous records.
11. For heavy wall vessels at high pressure, major concern is crack
damage particularly at the welds (Weld & HAZ).
12. Laminations run slant while cracks run normal to surface.
13. Spark testing is effective method for breaks/leaks in paint, glass,
plastic and rubber lining.
14. UT is the primary means of obtaining thickness measurements.
Other methods like profile radiography, Step-wedge comparison
radiographs, Corrosion buttons, test holes and depth drilling are
some other methods.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
/conversion/tmp/activity_task_scratch/691173179.doc
9/13/2023 / 9:35:17 PM
Professional Training and Consultation
API 510 Preparatory
20 – 31 August 2005, Al-Khobar
Page 2 of 3
DAILY POINTS TO RECALL (DAY 9)
15. Tamper embrittlement of chromium steel occurs due to loss of
ductility due to prolonged exposure to high temperature above
650oF. It can be controlled by limiting "J" factor for base metals
and "X" factor for weld metals.

16. All fatigue failure take place due to initiation of surface crack and
propagation of crack due to stress fluctuation. There are 3-types
of fatigue failures.
If surface cracks are due to stress concentration, weld undercuts,
notches etc and stress fluctuation due to mechanical reasons
(vibrations, water hammer etc.) then it is Mechanical Fatigue. If
stress fluctuation is due to temperature swing, it is Thermal
Fatigue. If initial surface cracks are due to corrosion, pitting etc.,
it is Corrosion Fatigue.

17. Corrosion Erosion is due to combined action of corrosion and

erosion. It can be reduced by controlling corrosion (by coating or
using corrosion resistant materials) and by controlling erosion (by
controlling flow velocity, providing harder surface).

18. Caustic embrittlement occurs due to combined action of high

caustic strength and higher temperature. It can be controlled by
carrying out PWHT and upgrading materials by Nickel alloys.

19. Sulphidation occurs due to sulpher or H 2S content in the fluid

handled. It can be reduced by using Chromium containing steels
as construction materials.

20. Hydrogen blistering takes place due to migration of Hydrogen

items in the steel vessel walls. Hydrogen induced cracking (HIC)
takes place if several Hydrogen blisters join together in the
material.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
/conversion/tmp/activity_task_scratch/691173179.doc
9/13/2023 / 9:35:17 PM
Professional Training and Consultation
API 510 Preparatory
20 – 31 August 2005, Al-Khobar
Page 3 of 3
DAILY POINTS TO RECALL (DAY 9)
21. Stress assisted HIC (SAHIC) takes place due to propogation of HIC
cracks under effect of applied stress. Crack propagates
perpendicular to stress direction.

22. High temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) is due to migration of

Hydrogen atoms in the carbon steels which combines with carbon
in carbons steel at high temperature to form Methane gas (CH 4)
which collects at grain boundaries causing internal cracks. It can
be reduced by selecting the construction materials according to
Nelsen Curves. (The material should be above the point of
temperature and Hydrogen pressure).

------------------------End-----------------------------

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
/conversion/tmp/activity_task_scratch/691173179.doc
9/13/2023 / 9:35:17 PM