Metallic Materials - Prevention of Brittle Fracture in New Assets

DEP SPECIFICATION
METALLIC MATERIALS - PREVENTION OF BRITTLE

FRACTURE IN NEW ASSETS
Copyright Shell Group of Companies. No reproduction or networking permitted without license from Shell. Not for resale
DEP 30.10.02.31-Gen.
February 2013
ECCN EAR99
DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PRACTICE
DEM1
© 2013 Shell Group of companies

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Wood Group-CCC Ltd. bchaure@wgccc.com.om 11/02/2015 06:51:30
ECCN EAR99 DEP 30.10.02.31-Gen.
February 2013
Page 2
PREFACE
DEP (Design and Engineering Practice) publications reflect the views, at the time of publication, of Shell Global Solutions
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regional, national and industry standards.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ......... 4
1.3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................. 5
1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 6
1.5 SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES ............................................................................... 6
1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS DEP ....................................................................................... 6
1.7 DUAL UNITS ............................................................................................................... 6
2. BRITTLE FRACTURE ................................................................................................ 7
3. DESIGN CODES ........................................................................................................ 7
4. DETERMINATION OF THE MINIMUM METAL TEMPERATURE AND LOWER
DESIGN TEMPERATURE .......................................................................................... 8
4.1 MINIMUM METAL TEMPERATURE (MMT) ............................................................... 8
4.2 LOWER DESIGN TEMPERATURE ............................................................................ 8
4.3 SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS ............................................ 9
4.4 SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR SUBSEA EQUIPMENT ........................................... 10
5. TOUGHNESS REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................. 10
5.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................. 10
5.2 CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEELS WITH LESS THAN 2 % NICKEL ................ 10
5.3 NICKEL-ALLOYED STEELS .................................................................................... 11
5.4 STAINLESS STEELS ............................................................................................... 12
6. MATERIALS SELECTION FOR PRESSURE EQUIPMENT ................................... 13
6.1 PRESSURE VESSELS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH PD 5500 AND DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen............................................................. 13
WITH ASME SECTION VIII DIVISION 1 OR 2 AND DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen. .......... 13
WITH EN 13445 AND DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen........................................................... 13
6.4 HEAT EXCHANGERS .............................................................................................. 14
6.5 ROTATING EQUIPMENT ......................................................................................... 14
6.6 PROCESS PIPING ................................................................................................... 15
7. REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 16

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 SCOPE
This DEP specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the selection and
application of steels in order to prevent brittle fracture at low temperature, and is applicable
to new assets. This DEP applies irrespective of the contained fluids and covers low
temperatures caused both by climate and by the process operating envelope. In addition,
specific requirements are given for equipment containing liquefied gas.
Guidelines are given for steel selection on the basis of the Lower Design Temperature for:
• unfired pressure vessels;
• piping, piping components and valves (including control valves);
• rotating equipment;
• subsea equipment subjected to Joule Thompson cooling.
This DEP shall only be used within the context of the relevant design and construction
codes and the corresponding DEPs. See (3).
This DEP is not applicable to:
• fired heaters;
• transmission pipelines;
• vertical atmospheric storage tanks;
• steel structures.
This DEP contains mandatory requirements to mitigate process safety risks in accordance
with Design Engineering Manual DEM 1 – Application of Technical Standards.
This is a revision of the DEP of the number dated February 2011; see (1.5) regarding the
changes.
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this DEP is confined to Shell
companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers nominated
by them. Any authorised access to DEPs does not for that reason constitute an
authorization to any documents, data or information to which the DEPs may refer.
This DEP is intended for use in facilities related to oil and gas production, gas handling, oil
refining, chemical processing, gasification, distribution and supply/marketing. This DEP
may also be applied in other similar facilities.
When DEPs are applied, a Management of Change (MOC) process shall be implemented;
this is of particular importance when existing facilities are to be modified.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements could be more
stringent than in this DEP, the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of the
requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to the safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all
cases the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of
this DEP which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or local
regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the objective
being to obtain agreement to follow this DEP as closely as possible.

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1.3 DEFINITIONS
1.3.1 General definitions
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project or operation of a
facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for it. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The capitalised term SHALL [PS] indicates a process safety requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.
1.3.2 Specific definitions
Term Definition
Adiabatic Flash The lowest temperature a liquid reaches, when a given quantity of a
Temperature mixture is adiabatically depressurised to atmospheric pressure.
(AFT)
Atmospheric The temperature at which the vapour pressure throughout the bulk of the
Boiling Point liquid exceeds the atmospheric pressure.
(ABP)
Equipment In the context of this DEP, any unfired vessel, column, reactor, heat
exchanger, pump, compressor, piping or part thereof under internal or
external pressure. Fired heaters, vertical atmospheric storage tanks,
steel structures and transmission pipelines are excluded from this
definition.
General The tensile component of the general primary stress resulting from
Membrane sustained loadings, such as internal and external pressures, static head,
Stress own weight and wind loading. The general membrane stress is averaged
over the thickness of the structure and it determines the elastic stored
energy in the wall of the equipment. In design or assessment of piping
systems, stresses due to thermal constraints contribute to the general
membrane stress.
Liquefied Gas A product which is gaseous at ambient temperature and atmospheric
pressure, but is maintained in a liquid state by means of pressure or
refrigeration, or a combination of the two.
Lowest Ambient The lowest one day mean ambient temperature on the basis of
Temperature meteorological data of hourly measurements over the last 20 years, or
(LAT) longer. The LAT shall not be warmer than the lowest ambient
temperature to be used for design under the local regulations.
Lower Design The lowest temperature at which equipment may be subjected to its
Temperature design pressure; LDT is further described in (4.2).
(LDT)
Minimum Metal The lowest temperature that equipment may possibly attain; MMT is
Temperature further described in (4.1).
(MMT)

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1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES
Where cross-references to other parts of this DEP are made, the referenced section
number is shown in brackets. Other documents referenced by this DEP are listed in (7).
1.5 SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES

This DEP is a revision of the DEP of the same number dated February 2011. The following
are the main, non-editorial changes.
Section Change
3 updated reference to design codes and pressure vessel DEPs
4.4 added new section “Specific conditions for subsea equipment”
1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS DEP

Comments on this DEP may be submitted to the Administrator using one of the following
options:
Shell DEPs Online Enter the Shell DEPs Online system at

https://www.shelldeps.com
(Users with access to
Shell DEPs Online) Select a DEP and then go to the details screen for
that DEP.
Click on the “Give feedback” link, fill in the online
form and submit.
DEP Feedback System Enter comments directly in the DEP Feedback

(Users with access to System which is accessible from the Technical
Shell Wide Web) Standards Portal http://sww.shell.com/standards.
Select “Submit DEP Feedback”, fill in the online form
and submit.
DEP Standard Form Use DEP Standard Form 00.00.05.80-Gen. to record

(Other users) feedback and email the form to the Administrator at
standards@shell.com.
Feedback that has been registered in the DEP Feedback System by using one of the above
options will be reviewed by the DEP Custodian for potential improvements to the DEP.
1.7 DUAL UNITS

This DEP contains both the International System (SI) units, as well as the corresponding
US Customary (USC) units, which are given following the SI units in brackets. When
agreed by the Principal, the indicated USC values/units may be used.

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2. BRITTLE FRACTURE
Prevention of brittle fracture of steel equipment is largely a matter of design. The design
codes which are covered specifically by this DEP are PD 5500, ASME Section VIII
Division 1 or 2 and EN 13445 for pressure vessels, and ASME B31.3 for piping.
PD 5500 and EN 13445-2 Annex B allow the application of a fracture mechanics analysis
as an alternative method to assess the required fracture toughness. Such analyses are not
covered by this DEP. However, the rules for the assessment of the Lower Design
Temperature in this DEP remain valid and designs based on fracture mechanics analysis
shall be approved by the Principal.
Possibilities for embrittlement of materials during service are generally not addressed
directly by the design codes. Nevertheless, material qualification and fabrication practices
shall follow appropriate industry standards to ensure that the potential effects of
embrittlement in service are taken into account in design.
If equipment or piping is susceptible to crack growth in service, for example where
significant cyclic loading applies, the appropriate procedures of the design code shall be
applied in addition to the requirements of this DEP.
3. DESIGN CODES
For pressure vessels, including heat exchangers, the design codes are:
• PD 5500;
• ASME Section VIII Divisions 1 and 2;
• EN 13445
In combination with DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen.
For piping systems, the design code is ASME B31.3, plus DEP 31.38.01.11-Gen.
For rotating equipment, the following DEPs and the associated ISO or API standards refer
to the above pressure vessel design codes for the design of the pressure retaining casings,
and the requirements of this DEP apply thereto.
a) DEP 31.29.02.30-Gen.
b) DEP 31.29.06.30-Gen.
c) DEP 31.29.12.30-Gen.
d) DEP 31.29.40.30-Gen.
e) DEP 31.29.40.31-Gen.
f) DEP 31.29.40.32-Gen.
For equipment governed by standards and design codes other than those defined above,
the Contractor shall develop supplementary specifications to arrive at equivalent prevention
of brittle fracture. This specification shall be subject to the approval of the Principal.

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4. DETERMINATION OF THE MINIMUM METAL TEMPERATURE AND LOWER DESIGN

TEMPERATURE
4.1 MINIMUM METAL TEMPERATURE (MMT)

The MMT is the lowest metal temperature that equipment may possibly reach and it shall
be defined for all equipment and piping items. The MMT SHALL [PS] take into account the
normal lowest operating temperature, the lowest temperatures during start-up or shutdown
and exceptional cool down events caused by high rate depressurising, resulting in Joule-
Thompson cooling or cooling by evaporation or boiling of liquefied gas. In the latter case
the MMT is the adiabatic flash temperature (AFT) or the atmospheric boiling point (ABP)
unless vacuum conditions can cause boiling below these temperatures. Warmer minimum
metal temperatures need clear justification.
The potential for high rate depressurisation SHALL [PS] be considered in determining the
MMT for equipment and piping containing compressed low molecular weight and flammable
hydrocarbon gases such as methane, ethane, propane or ethylene.
Normal assessment of the MMT during depressurising only considers the process fluids
adiabatically, but the heat contained in the process equipment itself may be included in
decisive cases, if documented quantitatively.
The MMT SHALL [PS] also take into account the coldest ambient temperature of the
climate at the plant location. If ambient temperatures are determining, the MMT is equal to
the Lowest Ambient Temperature (LAT). Effects of heat tracing and winterising or heat-up
before any pressurising may be considered to increase the MMT, but only under full
consideration of the safeguarding, inspection and maintenance required of the whole
system, including normally non-flow parts, and during the total lifetime.
The MMT for equipment containing multiple fluids, like columns and heat exchangers shall
consider the temperature, pressure and mass flow rates of each fluid during all possible
cool down circumstances. Each piece of equipment shall have a single MMT equal to the
lowest possible temperature of any of the fluids. Different MMTs for parts of the same
equipment (e.g., top and bottom of columns or tube-side and shell-side of heat exchangers)
may be selected only if justified by significant savings of the combined capital cost and cost
of process control and production restraints. Each equipment item which is divided into
parts with separate MMTs requires a full report by the Contractor with an analysis by
process and mechanical engineering which considers the MMTs, the location of the
boundaries of the cold sections, the temperature gradients and the change in materials
selection at these boundaries.
The determination of the MMT for heat exchangers should consider scenarios where one
side cools down due to depressurisation, whilst the other side becomes stagnant, but
pressurised. The stagnant fluid will fall to the same temperature as the depressurised side.
4.2 LOWER DESIGN TEMPERATURE

The Lower Design Temperature (LDT) is the lowest temperature at which equipment may
be subjected to its design pressure. This defined temperature marks the lowest
temperature at which equipment is protected from overpressure by a safety relief system.
When defined for a coincident pressure equal to the design pressure, the following are
equivalent to the LDT:
• the Minimum Design Metal Temperature in ASME Section VIII, Div. 1,UG-20 and
ASME Section VIII, Div. 2, Clause 4.1.5.2.
• the Design Reference Temperature in PD 5500 Annex D
• the Design Reference Temperature in EN 13445-2 Clause 3.1.3
In general, the LDT should be selected equal to the MMT. A LDT warmer than the MMT
shall only be selected if justified by significant savings of the combined capital cost and the
cost of process control and production restraints. The justification for a LDT warmer than
MMT shall be documented and approved by the Principal. A LDT warmer than the MMT is

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allowed if the General Membrane Stress for temperatures colder than the LDT is below
2
50 N/mm (7250 psi).
The reductions in lower design temperature allowed on the basis of reduced design
stresses relative to the maximum code allowable stress shall only be used when approved
by the Principal. In addition, such reductions in LDT shall be limited to a maximum
temperature credit of 50 °C (90 °F) unless a greater temperature reduction established in
accordance with the code is justified on the basis of a fracture mechanics analysis using
internationally recognized guidances/practices and approved by the Principal.
Any design with a LDT warmer than the MMT shall have a process whereby the pressure in
2
the system is physically limited such that the general membrane stress is below 50 N/mm
(7250 psi) at all temperatures colder than LDT. Any such design shall have homogeneous
processes and equipment temperatures. Any possibility for re-pressurisation or
pressurisation from connected systems, whilst the equipment is colder than the LDT,
SHALL [PS] be excluded.
Instrumented protective systems which disable re-pressurisation by forced opening of the
depressuring valve or forced closure of valves separating connected systems, during the
time the equipment is colder than the LDT, shall be considered.
The LDT shall be explicitly recorded on materials selection diagrams and on equipment
data sheets. If the MMT is colder than the LDT both temperatures shall be recorded.
If the LDT is above the LAT, then no strength pressure test is allowed when the equipment
temperature is lower than the LDT. Minimum hydrotest temperatures shall be specifically
reviewed when LDT is above LAT and shall not be colder than 7 °C (45 °F) unless allowed
by the design code and approved by the Principal.
Embrittlement of low-alloy steels in service above 370 °C (698 °F) may increase the lowest
temperature at which equipment can be subjected to its design pressure. Preventive
measures given in DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen. Appendix 4shall be applied in the design and
fabrication of all susceptible equipment and piping.
4.3 SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS

Systems containing liquefied gas are most vulnerable to cool down during depressurising,
because the boiling of the liquid as a result of the reduced pressure will cause a uniform
decrease in temperature throughout the liquid. However, evaporation without boiling of
liquefied gas at the surface with a gas phase, which has a low partial pressure of the
liquefied gas, will also cause a decrease in temperature. For equipment that is under inert
gas, the specific MMT that occurs during filling or start-up with liquefied gas, which will
evaporate until the equilibrium partial pressure is reached, shall be taken into account. To
avoid the potentially low temperatures that could be reached, warm vapour could be
introduced before filling the equipment with liquefied gas. The heat-up without re-
pressurisation of pressure vessels which contain liquefied gas, and have cooled down
below the LDT by boiling, is often not realistic. Heat up by heat from the environment is
hampered by external insulation or icing, and the circulation of hot vapour results in non-
uniform heating and requires pressure. Also, heat input through a reboiler could cause
vaporisation and pressurisation in the reboiler, while the main bulk liquid remains cold. The
safest procedure for starting up after an emergency depressurising entails draining the cold
liquid content from the equipment for heat up under atmospheric pressure into proper
dumping equipment and allowing heating up of the emptied equipment before pressurising.
Large pressurised storage vessels containing liquefied gas may have a Lower Design
Temperature above the Minimum Metal Temperature, but not above 0 °C (32 °F), provided
that the General Membrane Stress at temperatures below the selected Lower Design
2
Temperature does not exceed 50 N/mm (7250 psi).
The risk of low temperatures downstream of vaporisers of liquefied gas due to malfunction
shall be considered. This includes consideration of mobile vaporisers for inert gases.

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4.4 SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

Due consideration has to be given to Joule Thompson (JT) cooling, e.g., downstream of a
choke. For subsea applications, JT cooling downstream of the subsea choke is known as
the “chilly choke” phenomenon, which is of particular concern because the high strength
low alloy steel, AISI 410 and duplex and super duplex stainless steel materials that are
often used can be very sensitive to loss of ductility.
The chilly choke phenomenon can result in either brittle failure of components or loss of
containment at seals due to JT cooling of fluids downstream of subsea choke or production
operation valve being below the system's minimum allowable temperature leading to the
loss of hydrocarbon containment in subsea equipment.
JT Cooling or “Chilly Choke” phenomenon can be managed by a combination of materials
selection, welding practices, specialized non-destructive testing and fracture mechanics
analysis. Refer to DEP 39.01.10.11-Gen., Appendix E, Section E-2 for details.
5. TOUGHNESS REQUIREMENTS
5.1 GENERAL
Steels shall be impact tested at the lowest temperature for which the standard specification
specifies the toughness. Where the standard specification specifies a range of absorbed
energy values at different temperatures - such as in European EN standard specifications -,
impact tests can be conducted at a higher temperature corresponding to the impact energy
required by the design code. In all cases, the impact test temperature in the specification
should be minus 20 °C (-4 °F) or colder unless otherwise specified by the Principal.
If a standard specification, which specifies the required toughness, is not available, the
Principal shall approve the use of steel produced with a prior guarantee by the steel maker
to meet the required toughness. Qualified welding procedure specifications shall be
available to prove that the impact toughness of the weld and heat affected zone of the
non-standard steel meet the specific impact toughness requirement.
The possibilities offered by the design codes for a lesser impact toughness for the steel and
the welds at the Lower Design Temperature, when the design stress is reduced relative to
the maximum design stress allowed by the code, shall only be used when approved by the
Principal. The hydrostatic test pressure in these cases shall be equal to the hydrostatic test
pressure required by the code on the basis of the maximum allowable design stress.
Particular cases for rotating equipment and for flare lines are discussed in (6.5) and (6.6).
5.2 CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEELS WITH LESS THAN 2 % NICKEL
Applications at Lower Design Temperatures for which the design code requires an impact
test temperature colder than minus 60 °C (-76 °F) for thicknesses up to 50 mm (2 in) and
minus 50 °C (-58 °F) for larger thicknesses, require experimental verification on the basis of
fracture mechanics and shall be approved by the Principal.
Where post-weld heat-treatment is applied to enable the use of steels for lower
temperatures than allowed in as-welded condition, the temperature of the post-weld heat-
treatment shall be higher than 580 °C (1076 °F). Thermo-mechanically processed steels
with a lean chemical composition may lose their strength at a high post-weld heat-treatment
temperature and the steelmaker may not support heat treatment at 580 °C (1076 °F).
A minimum heat-treatment temperature colder than 580 °C (1076 °F) is only allowed if the
Manufacturer demonstrates that welding residual stresses after PWHT are sufficiently low
or that the integrity of the component is not adversely affected by the higher welding
residual stress levels that could result from the lower PWHT temperature. This justification
shall be approved by the Principal.
The impact toughness of carbon steels, high-strength or low-alloy steels in quenched and
tempered or in thermo-mechanically treated condition can be affected by forming and heat
treatment during fabrication of the equipment, as properties like strength and hardness can
be affected. Steels shall be ordered from the steelmaker with additional specified

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requirements to ensure that the required impact toughness is maintained for the full range
of forming and heat treatment procedures during fabrication, except for:
• steels with a normalised microstructure and a minimum specified tensile strength
2
below 500 N/mm (72,500 psi); or
• steels which are tempered at the mill at a temperature which is 30 °C (54 °F) or more
above the maximum of the range of heat-treatment needed during fabrication.
For the steels which require the above additional specification, the allowed heat treatment
conditions during fabrication shall be stated in the steel certificate. Welding procedures
shall be qualified accordingly.
Typical bolting materials are listed in DEP 30.10.02.11-Gen. Bolting materials, other than
the austenitic stainless steel materials in (5.4) which are applied for equipment with a Lower
Design Temperature colder than –30 °C (-22 °F), shall have been manufactured in
accordance with a specification which requires impact testing at a temperature not warmer
than the Lower Design Temperature.
Impact tested steels shall be used for all equipment designed to contain liquefied gas and
excludes any exemption curve or low stress arguments unless agreed by the Principal.
The steel toughness shall meet the requirements of the design code for the given Lower
Design Temperature, but the impact test temperature of the steel shall not be warmer than
–20 °C (-4 °F).
5.3 NICKEL-ALLOYED STEELS

The Ni-alloyed steels are steels with a maximum specified nickel content greater than 2 %w
without other significant alloying additions and include 3.5 % Ni-steel and 9 % Ni-steel.
Typical standard specifications for 3.5 % Ni-steel plate and forgings as listed in
DEP 30.10.02.11-Gen. require an impact test temperature of –100 °C (-148 °F).
3.5 % Ni-steel may be welded with 2.5 % Ni-weld metal or 3.5 % Ni-weld metal, but these
weld metals are not allowed when impact test temperatures below –80 °C (-112 °F) are
required. The maximum wall thickness shall not exceed 60 mm (2.4 in). For good weld
metal toughness, the manganese content of the weld metal should be low and the heat
input during welding should be less than 1800 J/mm (70.9 J/in). Alternatively, as for the
9 % Ni-steels, nickel-base weld metals may be used.
The post-weld heat treatment of 3.5 % Ni-steel shall be executed in a furnace and in
accordance with the design code, but the heat treatment shall be qualified as part of the
welding procedure qualification. The qualification shall represent the lowest rate of cooling
after the heat treatment and it shall prove that the post-weld heat treatment is not
detrimental to the impact toughness of the steel and its welds. Local heat treatments shall
be approved by the Principal.
Typical standard specifications for 9 % Ni-steel plate and forgings as listed in
DEP 30.10.02.11-Gen. require an impact test temperature of –196 °C (-321 °F).
Phosphorus and sulphur contents should be limited to maximum values of 0.005 %w and
0.002 %w, respectively. The limit on phosphorus content may be relaxed to 0.010 %w,
provided that the impact toughness of the base material at minus 196 °C (-321 °F) shall be
above 100 J (74 ft-lb) for longitudinal specimens.
9 % Ni-steel shall not be used for thicknesses above 50 mm (2 in) at the positions of the
welds. Applications above this thickness require experimental verification on the basis of
fracture mechanics and shall be approved by the Principal.
Suitable high-nickel, weld metal of a type listed in ISO 14172, ISO 18274,
ASME Section II Part C, SFA 5.11 or SFA 5.14 shall be used for welded joints in 9 %
Ni-steel. The tensile strength of the weld metal in a transverse tensile test shall be
2
650 N/mm (94,250 psi) or more, the yield strength in an all-weld-metal test shall be
2
360 N/mm (52,200 psi) or more. The allowable design stress shall be derived from
guaranteed yield and ultimate strength values in accordance with the rules of the design
2
code, but this design stress shall not exceed 260 N/mm (37,700 psi). The welding

February 2013
Page 12
procedure qualification for nickel-base weld metals in Ni alloyed steels shall include impact
testing of the centre of the weld metal at -196 °C (-321 °F) to prove that the absorbed
energy is greater than 65 J (48 ft-lb). Special care must be taken to demonstrate the use of
appropriate inspection techniques, owing to the inherent difficulties posed for defect
detection by high strength steels.
5.4 STAINLESS STEELS

Applications of stainless steels at Lower Design Temperatures, for which the design code
asks for proof of toughness by impact testing, require an additional specification of the steel
being ordered, and confirmation of proven toughness on the steel certificate. Also, welding
procedures shall be qualified or requalified with impact testing included, when required by
the design code for the given Lower Design Temperature.
Cold formed or cold spun austenitic stainless steel heads shall be solution annealed after
forming or spinning.
In all cases where the Lower Design Temperature for duplex stainless steel is below –20 °C
(-4 °F), or an impact toughness is specified by the design code for the required Lower
Design Temperature, the minimum average impact toughness shall be 50 J (37 ft-lb) at a
temperature of -50 °C (-58°F), with a minimum individual impact energy of 40 J (30 ft-lb).
The impact toughness shall be measured for the base metal using specimens aligned in the
transverse direction. For welded duplex stainless steel components, specimens shall be
extracted normal to the weld and notched at positions defined in the applicable welding
standard. The specimens notched in the fusion line shall sample at least 50 % heat affected
zone (HAZ).
Where transverse base metal test specimens cannot be taken and the use of longitudinal
specimens is approved by the Principal, the impact energy requirements for duplex
stainless steels shall be those corresponding to transverse specimens multiplied by a factor
of 1.5. This scaling factor does not apply to weld metal and HAZ tests nor does it apply to
impact tests on duplex stainless steel castings.
In addition to the above requirements for duplex stainless steels, the minimum impact
toughness requirements of the design code shall be satisfied.
The application of duplex stainless steels is limited to -50 °C (-58 °F) and 40 mm (1.5 in)
maximum thickness, unless a fracture mechanics assessment is carried out to justify lower
temperatures or greater thicknesses, and is approved by the Principal.

February 2013
Page 13
6. MATERIALS SELECTION FOR PRESSURE EQUIPMENT
6.1 PRESSURE VESSELS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH

PD 5500 AND DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen.
The impact toughness requirements in PD 5500 for base materials shall be read as
requirements for the standard steel specification and the welding procedures to be used.
The 1.5 J per °C (0.62 ft-lb/°F) rule for conversion of impact toughness shall only be used
when converting to a temperature lower than the actual impact test temperature. For
converting to a temperature higher than the actual impact test temperature, a conversion
factor of 0.66 J per °C (0.27 ft-lb/°F) shall be used. These conversions are valid for required
impact energy values between 15 J (11 ft-lb) and 45 J (33 ft-lb).
1.5 % Ni-steel and quenched and tempered fine grain steel are not grouped in an M-band
as stated in PD 5500 Clause 2.1.1.3. These steels may be applied in low temperatures in
accordance with PD 5500 Annex D and this DEP, when they are listed in
DEP 30.10.02.11-Gen.

ASME SECTION VIII DIVISION 1 OR 2 AND DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen.
The impact toughness requirements in ASME section VIII for base materials shall be read
as requirements for the standard steel specification to be used. Qualification of steels
through impact testing as described in Sections 3.11.7.4 b) and UG-84(d)(2) by the
fabricator of the pressure equipment, or by parties other than the steelmaker, is not
allowed. See (5.1).
Section ULT of Division 1 may be used for cold pressurised storage of liquefied gas only if
approved by the Principal.
The reductions in lower design temperature allowed on the basis of reduced design
stresses relative to the maximum code allowable stress shall only be used when approved
by the Principal. In addition, such reductions in LDT shall be limited to a maximum
temperature credit of 50 °C (90 °F) unless a greater temperature reduction established in
accordance with the code is justified on the basis of a fracture mechanics analysis and
approved by the Principal.
Non-impact tested carbon steels shall not be used below -48 °C (-54 °F) unless approved
by the Principal.

EN 13445 AND DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen.
Some applications will require the use of Method 2 in EN 13445-2:2002 clause B.2.3 and
the impact toughness requirements are summarised in Table B.2-3. This Table refers to
Figures B.4-3, B.4-4 and B.4-5, but these Figures should not be used. For the use of
Figure B.4.2, approval by the Principal is required in the following cases:
•
2
the minimum specified yield strength of the base material is greater than 310 N/mm
(44,950 psi) and TR is colder than the minimum of (½TKV + 2t - 62) and TKV.
•
2
the minimum specified yield strength of the base material is greater than 360 N/mm
(52,200 psi) and TR is colder than TKV.
where
TR is the design reference temperature, in °C
t is the thickness, in mm
TKV is the material impact test temperature, in °C.

February 2013
Page 14
The reductions in lower design temperature allowed in EN 13445-2 on the basis of reduced
design stresses relative to the maximum code allowable stress shall only be used when
approved by the Principal. (Refer to Table B.2-12, EN13445:2009.)
6.4 HEAT EXCHANGERS

Heat exchangers are commonly designed for pressure containment in accordance with
ASME Section VIII with EN 13445 and PD 5500 as an alternative. Exceptionally, low
temperature heat exchangers may have different Lower Design Temperatures for the
cooling and the heating side in accordance with (4). The materials selection and the
mechanical design shall be made to allow for all potential temperature differences during
depressurising. Stresses resulting from differential thermal expansion between passes or
sides of the heat exchanger may have significant elastic follow-up, which requires them to
be treated as primary stresses and as contributors to the General Membrane Stress in
(4.2).
Carbon steel tubes with specified low temperature properties, with a wall thickness below
2
2.6 mm (0.10 in) and with a minimum specified tensile strength not exceeding 450 N/mm
(65,250 psi), may be used down to –104 °C (-155 °F) for shell-and-tube heat exchangers
without impact testing. Use of carbon steel tubes in combination with nickel-alloyed or
stainless steel tube-sheets or shells shall be approved by the Principal.
6.5 ROTATING EQUIPMENT

The Lower Design Temperature for rotating equipment shall be determined in accordance
with (4), but this temperature shall not be warmer than the Minimum Metal Temperature.
Rotating equipment is designed in accordance with one of the design codes and the
associated DEPs listed in (3). These codes refer for the design of the pressure containment
or casing to ASME Section VIII Div. 1 or EN 13445, and the toughness of the steels at the
Lower Design Temperature shall comply with the same codes. The rules for less stringent
toughness requirements for low stress designs as in ASME Section VIII UCS-66 (i) or in
EN 13445-2:2002 Table B 2-1 may be used for casings, but the whole of the pressure
containment shall be designed with the same low design stress.
For equipment designed in accordance with ASME Section VIII Division 1, non-impact-
tested steel castings may be used for casings if all of the following conditions apply:
a) the steel qualifies for use of curve B in Figure UCS-66,
b) the mechanical design of the casing is robust for reasons of stiffness,
c) the governing thickness does not exceed 25 mm (1 in), and
d) the Lower Design Temperature is warmer than –29 °C (-20 °F).
Other deviations from the impact toughness requirements in ASME Section VIII, such as
those permitted in ISO 13709:2009 Clause 5.12.4.5 are not allowed.
Under EN 13445 all steels for pressure containment of rotating equipment shall be made to
a standard specification which requires impact testing in accordance with EN 13445-2
Clause 4.1.6. The impact test temperature shall be the lowest temperature for which the
standard specification specifies the required absorbed energy. This test temperature shall
not be warmer than the Lower Design Temperature, which may be modified by the
temperature adjustment of EN 13445-2:2002 Table B 2-1, if the whole of the pressure
containment is designed with the same low design stress.
The suitability of materials for rotating equipment internals under the intended low
temperature service should be based on proven Manufacturer's experience. Due attention
should be given to the required clearances between the static and the rotating parts as a
consequence of thermal expansion/contraction upon depressurizing of liquefied gas or
compressed flammable low molecular weight gas.
The design of the pressure containing parts of the rotating equipment and the process
piping should be such that thermal stresses by contraction or expansion of the process

February 2013
Page 15
piping will be mainly absorbed by the piping and not by the rotating equipment. This is
feasible if the minimum load bearing thickness of the relevant parts of the rotating
equipment is designed sufficiently greater than the wall thickness of the piping connected
to it.
6.6 PROCESS PIPING

Process piping shall comply with DEP 31.38.01.11-Gen. The Lower Design Temperature
shall not be warmer than the Minimum Metal Temperature. The Lower Design Temperature
for piping which contains liquefied gas shall be equal to or lower than the atmospheric
boiling point or the adiabatic flash temperature of the liquefied gas.
Carbon steel piping should consist of steels with fine grained, normalised microstructure
2
and a minimum specified tensile strength below 500 N/mm (72,500 psi). Piping of a given
pipe size and schedule and with a Lower Design Temperature colder than the "minimum
temperature without impact testing" by Curve "B" in Figure 323.2.2A of ASME B31.3 shall
be fully made of steels which are covered by standard specifications which specify impact
testing, except for bolting. Qualification of steels through impact testing as described in
Table 323.3.1, column B, of ASME B31.3 by the fabricator or by other parties different from
the steelmaker, is not allowed.
The minimum specified impact toughness shall meet the impact toughness required for the
Lower Design Temperature. The welding procedures used for welding of impact tested
carbon steel shall have been qualified by impact testing, and the impact toughness of the
weld metal and the heat-affected zone shall meet the minimum specified impact toughness
of the steel.
The Lower Design Temperature for carbon steel piping shall not be colder than –50 °C
(-58 °F), except for flare lines or when PWHT is applied, subject to the approval of the
Principal. Impact tested carbon steels in accordance with ASTM specifications generally
have an impact test temperature of –45 °C (-49 °F). Such steels may be used for piping
with a lower design temperature down to -50 °C (-58 °F), provided that the average
absorbed energy in the impact test, as given in the steel certificate, exceeds 27 J (20 ft-lb).
Steels which are covered by standard specifications which specify impact testing shall be
used for carbon steel piping which contains liquefied gas. The steel toughness shall meet
the requirements of the design code for the given LDT, but the impact test temperature of
the steel shall not be warmer than –20 °C (-4 °F).
Cold flare lines of carbon steels which are impact tested at –45 °C (-49 °F) or below may be
designed in accordance with ASME B31.3 and for an LDT which is ∆T degrees colder than
the impact test temperature, if:
a) the nominal pressure stress at the design pressure and the combined longitudinal
stress, which includes long range thermal stresses from thermal restraint during a
flaring event, do not exceed the Basic Allowable Stress multiplied with the Stress
Ratio, which corresponds to ∆T in Figure 323.2.2B of ASME B31.3; do not exceed
the basic allowable stress multiplied with the stress ratio in Fig 323.2.2B. A low
stress credit of 30C is achieved for any stress below 0.5 and a value of 50C for a
stress lower than 50MPa.
b) the temperature credit ∆T is no greater than 50 ºC (90 °F); and
c) the hydrostatic test pressure is equal to the test pressure required in case of a Stress
Ratio equal to one.
Austenitic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel piping for Lower Design Temperatures
colder than –20 °C (-4 °F) shall comply with (5.4). For piping with a Lower Design
Temperature colder than –20 °C (-4 °F), the application of steels other than the carbon
steels and stainless steels mentioned above requires a comprehensive specification by the
Contractor of all piping components, and their fabrication and inspection requirements, on
the basis of documented experience or experimental verification and shall be approved by
the Principal.

February 2013
Page 16
7. REFERENCES
In this DEP, reference is made to the following publications:
NOTES: 1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used,
together with any amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. The DEPs and most referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell
Wide Web) at http://sww.shell.com/standards/.
SHELL STANDARDS
DEP feedback form DEP 00.00.05.80-Gen.
Metallic materials – Selected standards DEP 30.10.02.11-Gen.
Metallic materials - prevention of brittle fracture in existing assets DEP 30.10.02.50-Gen.
Unfired pressure vessels DEP 31.22.00.31-Gen.
Axial, centrifugal and expander pumps (amendments/supplements DEP 31.29.02.30-Gen.
to ISO 13709:2009)
Centrifugal submerged motor pumps and electro submersible DEP 31.29.06.30-Gen.
hydraulic turbines
Reciprocating positive displacement pumps and metering pumps DEP 31.29.12.30-Gen.
(amendments/supplements to API 674 and API 675)
Axial, centrifugal, and expander compressors DEP 31.29.40.30-Gen.
(amendments/supplements to API Std 617)
Reciprocating compressors (amendments/supplements to DEP 31.29.40.31-Gen.
API Std 618)
Rotary-type positive displacement compressors DEP 31.29.40.32-Gen.
(amendments/supplements to API 619)
Piping – General requirements DEP 31.38.01.11-Gen.
Selection of materials for lifecycle performance (Upstream DEP 39.01.10.11-Gen
Facilities) Materials selection process
Design Engineering Manual DEM 1 – Application of Technical DEM 1
Standards http://sww.manuals.shell.com/HSSE/
AMERICAN STANDARDS
Process piping ASME B31.3
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code:
Section II: Materials – Part C: Specifications for welding rods,
electrodes and filler metals:
- Specification for nickel and nickel alloy welding for shielded ASME Section II
metal arc welding C-SFA 5.11
- Specification for nickel and nickel-alloy bare welding ASME Section II
electrodes and rods C-SFA 5.14
Section VIII Div. 1: Rules for construction of pressure vessels ASME Section VIII, Div. 1
Section VIII Div. 2: Alternative rules for construction of pressure ASME Section VIII, Div. 2
vessels
BRITISH STANDARDS
Specification for unfired fusion-welded pressure vessels PD 5500:2009

February 2013
Page 17
EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Unfired pressure vessels EN 13445
Unfired pressure vessels, Part 2: Materials EN 13445-2:2009
Metallic Industrial Piping Part 2 EN 13480-2
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Centrifugal pumps for petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas ISO 13709:2009
industries
Welding consumables – Covered electrodes for manual metal arc ISO 14172
welding of nickel and nickel alloys – Classification
Welding consumables – Solid wire electrodes, solid strip ISO 18274
electrodes, solid wires and solid rods for fusion welding of nickel
and nickel alloys — Classification - Second Edition


Metallic Materials - Prevention of Brittle Fracture in New Assets

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DEP SPECIFICATION

METALLIC MATERIALS - PREVENTION OF BRITTLE

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PRACTICE

© 2013 Shell Group of companies

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1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

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1.5 SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES

1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS DEP

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1.7 DUAL UNITS

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4. DETERMINATION OF THE MINIMUM METAL TEMPERATURE AND LOWER DESIGN

4.1 MINIMUM METAL TEMPERATURE (MMT)

4.2 LOWER DESIGN TEMPERATURE

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4.3 SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS

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4.4 SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

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5.3 NICKEL-ALLOYED STEELS

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5.4 STAINLESS STEELS

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6. MATERIALS SELECTION FOR PRESSURE EQUIPMENT

6.1 PRESSURE VESSELS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH

6.2 PRESSURE VESSELS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH

6.3 PRESSURE VESSELS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH

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6.4 HEAT EXCHANGERS

6.5 ROTATING EQUIPMENT

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6.6 PROCESS PIPING

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