Ardy, H.; Albatros, T.; Sumboja, A. Failure Analysis of Duplex Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Tubes with Seawater Cooling Medium. Metals2023, 13, 1182.
Ardy, H.; Albatros, T.; Sumboja, A. Failure Analysis of Duplex Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Tubes with Seawater Cooling Medium. Metals 2023, 13, 1182.
Ardy, H.; Albatros, T.; Sumboja, A. Failure Analysis of Duplex Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Tubes with Seawater Cooling Medium. Metals2023, 13, 1182.
Ardy, H.; Albatros, T.; Sumboja, A. Failure Analysis of Duplex Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Tubes with Seawater Cooling Medium. Metals 2023, 13, 1182.
Abstract
The present paper describes a study case of the failure investigation of Duplex stainless steel (UNS S31803) on the tube and tube sheet section of a shell and tube heat exchanger BEM TEMA type with seawater as the cooling medium. Although UNS S31803 offers high strength, high resistance to chloride-induced SCC, and high resistance to pitting attack in chloride environments, in this study case, the heat exchanger experienced some material degradation; 26 tubes were leaked and plugged on both sides, and scales plugged 76 tubes. The examination in this study case revealed the formation of biofilm inside the tubes, XRD examination revealed that the film contained aragonite (CaCO3), and by using microstructural examination on the inner surface of the tube, the austenite grains were preferentially attacked by crevice corrosion. In this case, the failure was caused by crevice corrosion, and crevice corrosion was enhanced by microbiological-induced corrosion (MIC). Recommendations to avoid similar failures are also suggested in this paper.
Copyright:
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