Corrosion Analysis of a Primary Quench Water Cooler in a Cracking Unit
During the operational process,the primary quench water cooler of a petrochemical cracking unit experienced corrosion failure.To determine the root cause of this failure,a comprehensive investigation was conducted.Macroscopic observations and characterization methods,including hardness testing,chemical composition analysis,metallographic experiments,scanning electron microscopy observations,water quality analysis,and flow velocity analysis,were applied to sampled heat exchange tubes.The findings reveal that the cracking unit's circulating water flow rate was excessively low,coupled with the presence of impurities and elevated turbidity.This condition led to scale formation on the inner walls of the heat exchange tubes and subsequent subscale corrosion.To address this issue,measures are recommended to increase the circulation water flow rate and enhance water treatment,thereby reducing water quality indicators and minimizing impurities and turbidity.
cracking unitfailure analysisquench water coolerunder-deposit corrosion