API 510 CERT

API 576 PRV DAMAGE

MECHANISMS

Slide 1
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EXTERNAL CUI OF PRV
DISCHARGE PIPEWORK

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 2

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API 510 CERT CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)

Common location
lagged PRV
discharge pipes

..and sometimes inlet

nozzles

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 3

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PRV PIPEWORK RESTRAINT

Check for correct

restraint etc on
silencer discharge
pipes

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 4

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INCORRECT RESTRAINT

Restraint /thermal stresses

can be many times the
pressure stress

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 5

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PLUGGING AND STICKING

Plugging with process

solids can block the PRV
and/or cause sticking

It can also cause ‘galling’ of

the spindle/guide
components

API 576 Sec 5.5 Slide 6

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INTERNAL PARTS CORROSION

CORROSION CAUSES ‘STICTION’

Slide 7
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PRV CORROSION

Chemical service valve with corroded nozzle ring

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 8
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CORRODED NOZZLE RING

Corrosion
initiated by
seat leakage
(incorrect
material after
poor
upgrading)

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 9

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PRV PRE-POP DEFAULTS

May be due to just

‘stiction’ or serious
mechanical
damage/corrosion

Typical H2S attack

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 10
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SPRINGS CAN ALSO FAIL
DUE TO SCC
(a common source of PRV failure)

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 11

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API 510 CERT SEAT DEFECTS
Chatter

Mating face of seat becomes

worn by prolonged use and
‘chattering’

Chatter can be caused by

incorrect blowdown ring
setting or too-low differential
pressure
Grooving (wire
Fine stress-corrosion or drawing) of nozzle
fatigue cracking on nozzle or seat
sealing faces leads to
eventual cracking and erosion Slide 12
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VALVE SEAT’WIRE’ DRAWING

This is a common problem on steam service

caused by PRVs ‘passing’ in service

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 13

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MISALIGNMENT
PROBLEMS

Stresses from connecting

pipework can cause
distortion and misalignment,
giving increased stresses
and wear

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 14

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STRESS CORROSION CRACKING
(SCC)
The most common mechanism
on stainless steels and high
Nickel alloys

IT IS
• Commonplace
• Made worse by chlorides
• A risk of failure by cracking
• Notoriously unpredictable
Slide 15
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STAINLESS BODY
CORROSION(SCC)

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 16

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SCC OF BELLOWS/
SPINDLES /BOLTS

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 17

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EROSION CORROSION CAN CAUSE
SERIOUS LOCALISED THINNING ON
STEAM PRV INLET NOZZLES

Slide 18
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CREEP
A time and temperature-dependent
degradation mechanism

Made worse by local

‘restraint’ stresses and
inadequate PWHT during
manufacture/ site welding

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 19

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PRV BODY REPLICATION
TESTING

•To detect creep 400 degC +

•Grinding,etch and acetate

replica

•Examine microstructure

API 576 Sec 5 Slide 20

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PRV CORROSION :SUMMARY
•Spring corrosion is one of the most common
causes of failure

•Plugging and sticking can be prevented by

protecting the PRV with a rupture (bursting)
disc

•Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) is a

common occurrence on stainless steel PRVs
and rupture discs
Slide 21
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