Cedar Bayou Ethylene Unit Charge Gas Compressor Impeller Failure

摘要

Caustic stress corrosion cracking requires a combination of a caustic environment, susceptible material, and operating the machinery above a specific yield stress. These three components can lead to a mechanical failure that poses a significant safety risk, requires a timely and costly repair, and may limit the capability for higher throughput. The paper provides an explanation of how the three components of caustic stress corrosion were significant in the Cedar Bayou Ethylene Unit impeller failure. The points of failure and the damage that resulted are described along with the specifics on the projects that ensued and lessons learned.