ASSESSING CREEP DAMAGE IN CAST MATERIALS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE REFORMER TUBE APPLICATIONS

摘要

Centrifiigally cast materials, namely HK-40, HP Modified and Micro-Alloy materials are used in Steam Reformer tube applications. These materials, operating in the creep range, are subject to time/temperature related degradation which can manifest in several ways. The quantification of damage is of vital importance if tube life is to be predicted accurately. A comprehensive nondestructive inspection approach has been developed to assess the exact degree of damage. The approach utilizes several NDE techniques including ultrasonic, eddy current and dimensional measurements. The combination of the techniques provides valuable data for establishing condition assessment and remaining tube life prediction. Experiences and findings are discussed in the paper. Discussion of destructive methodologies for tube life assessment are beyond the scope of this paper.