Thick-walled steel vessel demolished by relatively small explosion - after cooling below ductile-brittle transition temp.

摘要

Process comprises cooling the vessle wall down to or below the ductile-brittle transition temp. and, after filling the vessel with liq. detonating a charge inside it to shatter the vessel. The liquid may also be used for cooling the vessel. Where the vessel is internally lined with austenitic steel or other alloys, this internal lining is removed electrolytically before the vessel is shattered. Used for pressure vessels in the chemical or nuclear industries, esp. with a wall thickness of =60 cm. and wt. of several hundred tons. Method is partic. suitable for installation where access is difficult or impossible due to chemical contamination or radioactivity.