A 67 in (1700 mm) vertical knock-out drum suffered a system upset over three years ago resulting in a localized band of internal wall-loss near the entire circumferential dome weld. After performing initial defect assessments, it was determined that the pressure vessel could not operate at full capacity without suffering rapid internal wall loss around the entire circumference. Additionally, the corrosion occurred beneath the lowest support, meaning that a structural failure would result in the drum head detaching.

To provide a short-term remediation, a composite repair system was custom designed for the operator to address the primary concerns: through-wall leaking, internal pressure containment and preventing dome separation. Three unique systems were combined and used to achieve a successful repair for over three years while a replacement drum was ordered for the next turn-around. This paper will highlight the flexible design capabilities of composite materials in addressing critical component repairs when engineered appropriately.

Subject
Primers, Adhesives, Substrates, Domes, Nozzles, Walls, Leaks, Installation, Mechanical failure, Composites, Repair, Fiberglass, Carbon fiber
Keywords:
Composite Repair, Tank, Vessel, Carbon Fiber, Leak, Internal Wall Loss, Corrosion, Erosion, Vertical Knock-Out Drum, Milliken
© 2019 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).
2019
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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