Analysis of pipe failure at the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant

J. R. Keiser, O. C. Dias, J. R. Mayotte

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The rupture of a carbon steel elbow in the methanation area of the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant resulted in a fire and plant shutdown. Failure studies consisted of an on-site inspection and an extensive laboratory examination that included light metallography, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, chemical analyses, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. It was concluded that operation of a heat exchanger under off-specification conditions contributed to higher than design temperatures, lower than design pressures, and higher than design concentrations of carbon dioxide and water in the exit line from a condensate separator. Together, these conditions produced high levels of carbonic acid and higher than design velocities resulting in severe corrosion of the carbon steel.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)147-153
Number of pages7
JournalMaterials Characterization
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1994

Funding

Researchw ass ponsorebdy the U.S. Department of Energy,F ossilE nergyA lternateF uelsP roduc-tion Program,D OE/FE CH 05 12 O0 O, under contract DE-ACO5-84OR21400w ith Martin Marietta Energy SysteImncs.,

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of EnergyD OE/FE CH 05 12 O0 O

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Analysis of pipe failure at the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this