A large number of hydrogen blisters visually detected in a MDEA column prompted the initiation of an evaluation to assess the degree of hydrogen damage and decide on the line of action. The experience acquired during the evaluation is described. It is shown that internal hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) detection by ultrasonic inspection (UT) needs to be confirmed by angle beam UT inspection, otherwise confusion with normal non-metallic inclusions in the steel and other material defects may arise. Specimens removed from the core sample with blisters and subjected to a simulated stress relieving cycle, showed clear evidence of high-temperature hydrogen attack and indicated the inconvenience of performing Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) in the column after weld repairs. A flow diagram is developed to tackle problems of carbon steel equipment in wet ¾S service and to guarantee the implementation of consistent actions to similar problems.

Subject
High temperature hydrogen attack, Hydrogen induced cracking, Surface hardness, Welding, Inspection, Repair, Steel, Equipment, Stress oriented hydrogen induced cracking, Carbon steel, Hydrophobic interaction chromatography, Blistering, Hydrogen
Keywords:
Hydrogen blister, hydrogen induced cracking, wet H2S, corrosion, absorber column, MDEA
© 1992 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).
1992
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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