The cause of rapid failure of steel-admiralty duplex condenser tubes in propane condensers was found to be due to the diffusion of atomic hydrogen through the steel tubes. These tubes were exposed to a considerable quantity of hydrogen sulfide gas and sufficient pressure was built up between the outer tube and the liner to cause the liners to collapse. These failures occurred within four weeks after the units were put into service. Tests were conducted to duplicate these failures in the laboratory. Tests also were made to study the pressure build-up rate of a “volumeless” cell in various corrosive atmospheres. 3.5.6

Subject
Hydrogen sulfide, Atomic hydrogen, Water, Tubes, Walls, Propane, Gas pressure, Condensers, Corrosion attacks, Steel tubing, Mechanical failure, Steel, Hydrogen
Copyright 1957 by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers.
1957
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