What is Patina? Patina is a layer of corrosion that forms on the surface of metal objects, particularly those made of copper, brass, bronze, and other metal alloys. Patina is formed by a combination of chemical and physical processes, including oxidation, corrosion, and the accumulation of pollutants and other substances on the metal surface. Patina can have a variety of …
Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) is a type of corrosion that can occur in metal alloys, especially in those that are used in corrosive environments. It occurs when metal components are exposed to both tensile stress and chlorides, forming cracks in the material. The damage caused by Chloride SCC can be severe and can result in material failure, leading to …
When most hear the words Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC), our minds immediately start thinking of Chloride induced SCC in stainless steels or Sulphide SCC. However, In March 2019, Step Change in Safety issued a Safety Alert about slightly less common phenomena of Methanol Stress Corrosion Cracking in Carbon Steels. The incident occurred on an outlet line from a …
HF Damage Mechanisms – the threat to your assets. The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board have issued the final report on a significant fire and related explosions that occurred in June 2019 at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (CSB). The cause of the accident, which shut down a refinery that could produce …
HTHA – A serious threat to pressure equipment integrity. Covered extensively in our API 571 Training Course, we’re often asked about HTHA. When carbon steel is used to manufacture pressure equipment for hydrogen-containing (gaseous or liquid, even when it is a constituent portion of a fluid) service, the service conditions should be limited to avoid High-Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA). …
Sometimes, A Little Change Is A Good Thing Fitness For Service Training – API 579/ASME FFS-1 – must be up there as one of the most comprehensive and helpful resources out there in the world of technical codes and standards. First published in January 2000 it provides the refining and petrochemical industry with various methods for the reliable …
Fitness For Service – Local Metal Loss Level 1 Assessment. Part 3 of our 3 part series takes a look at the assessment of local metal loss. As we discussed in Part 1, there is strictly no definition of what constitutes local metal loss compared to general, so the accepted rule of thumb is to start with a Part 4 …
Fitness For Service – non-uniform metal loss. This is the second part in our 3-part Fitness For Service series for the assessment of metal loss using API 579 level 1 methodology. It’s best if you read Part 1 of the series first. Part 1 explains the difference between uniform and non-uniform loss, and addresses how to conduct a level …
The 7-Rules to Follow Most people shy away from choosing a training company as they consider it is something of a shot in the dark. Training companies can be difficult to choose because there are many ways they could try and separate you from your hard-earned cash. There are some things you need to know about picking a training provider. …
The phone rings, my taxi is here. I kiss my family goodbye. My 4 year old runs off to play with something as my impending absence is instantly forgotten about. Unicorns are obviously much more interesting. My wife with a 7-month-old in her arms wishes me a safe journey before closing the door and rushing off to see what that …