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Abstract : |
Transfer line tubes of an ethane pyrolysis furnace, operating at 850 +/- 20 degrees C and 1.0 atm pressure, developed longitudinal cracks after less than one third of their expected service life. The tubes were constructed of Fe-based USN N08810 alloy with a wall thickness of 10 mm. Metallurgical evaluation revealed that the mode of failure was high-temperature carburization attack leading to intergranular cracking. The cause of failure was overheating, likely to have occurred during decoking operations. Better control of furnace temperature was recommended to avoid overheating. Alternatively, a wrought alloy capable of developing highly protective aluminum oxide (Al2O3)-base scale such as Ni-based UNS N07214 could be used as a replacement., |
