Analysis of pipe failure for the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant
The rupture of a carbon steel elbow in the methanation area of the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant resulted in a fire and plant shutdown. The failure was investigated by personnel from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and ANG Associates, the plant operators. These studies consisted of an on-site i...
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Language: | unknown |
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2022
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Online Access: | http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7092714 https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7092714 https://doi.org/10.1016/1044-5803%2894%2990077-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/1044-5803(94)90077-9 |
Summary: | The rupture of a carbon steel elbow in the methanation area of the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant resulted in a fire and plant shutdown. The failure was investigated by personnel from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and ANG Associates, the plant operators. These studies consisted of an on-site inspection and extensive laboratory examination that included optical metallography, x-ray fluorescence, x-ray diffraction, chemical analyses, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). It was concluded that operation of a heat exchanger under off-specification conditions contributed to higher than design temperatures, lower than design pressures, and higher than design concentrations of carbon dioxide and water in the exit line from a condensate separator. Together, these conditions produced high levels of carbonic acid and higher than design velocities resulting in severe corrosion of the carbon steel. 9 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs. |
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