In this case study, a piping failure during fire water service operation was investigated using metallographic techniques. According to the author, the use of metallurgical investigations during inspection programs for petroleum and petrochemical plants can help to discover the root causes of corrosion.
Operational conditions for U.S. Gulf refiners aren’t for the faint of heart. Between handling harsh chemicals in a humid environment, corrosion concerns are constant. For one major Houston-area refiner, the specialists to address those concerns are teams at nearby BHI Coatings.
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University, Tufts University, and the University of Oklahoma is working collaboratively on a project focused on combating microbiologically induced corrosion, and especially corrosion affecting U.S. Air Force fuel tanks.
This technical article presents the life extension approach to maintain safe operation of an aging offshore wet crude pipeline. The approach includes the evaluations of corrosion threats, pipeline integrity, and effectiveness of corrosion control practices.
Building information modeling aims to streamline the inspection of piping insulation by identifying and flagging high-risk areas, which inspectors can use to cover more ground while increasing the likelihood of finding corrosion.
The Penetron Group has developed an antimicrobial concrete admixture to provide permanent protection for the lift station’s wet well structures from microbially-induced corrosion (MIC).
The U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center patented its process for applying a “smart” fiberoptic system between a metal surface and its protective coating, which they believe can detect the beginnings of corrosion at the microscopic level.
Self-healing concrete, in the form of microcapsules filled with water treatment sludge, could offer a solution to halt what researchers say are unprecedented corrosion levels in Australia’s aging concrete pipelines.
Denver Water is receiving $76 million in funding from the U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to accelerate its lead-service line replacement plan, which was recently approved and found to be effective by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Based on empirical and theoretical research validated by field data, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) researchers developed a guidance tool to predict rebar reinforcement section loss. This should help MnDOT manage its bridge inventory and inform bridge maintenance and replacement decisions.
New polymer technology from Belzona is allowing a client to protect its vessel against extreme operational conditions, all while also meeting weight and thickness specifications. The solution proved more effective than traditional cladding.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released its findings regarding a massive fire and explosions at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in 2019. The incident occurred when a corroded pipe elbow ruptured, releasing process fluid into the hydrofluoric acid alkylation unit.
A common source of gaseous compounds in the refining industry is the overhead exhaust/vent of the regeneration tower within a continuous catalytic reforming unit.
The San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute is creating its next generation of transducers using ultrasonic guided wave technology to help detect anomalies in pipes. In turn, this is designed to allow users to prevent leaks before they start.
Knowing the corrosion severity of a particular environment is important when designing and maintaining infrastructure—and even more so in coastal environments. Certain factors can cause corrosion rates to vary significantly. This study aims to provide answers.