Rupture of fifteen HP40-1%Nb methanol reformer radiant tubes was investigated. The ruptures occurred during restart of the furnace following a unit shutdown due to a low steam-to-carbon ratio trip. The ruptures were evidenced by both circumferential and longitudinal fractures with three tubes being completely separated. Subsequent investigation indicated that all of the ruptured, catalyst-filled tubes failed by tensile overload caused by overheating. This paper describes the events preceding the failure, the failure investigation, methods used to determine the integrity of the remaining tubes, and techniques employed to repair useable sections of the failed tubes.

Subject
Carbides, Microstructure, Tubes, Structures, Photomicrographs, Inspection, Fractures, Furnaces, Mechanical failure, Repair, Catalysts, Cracks, Samples
© 1984 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1984
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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