Corrosion problems related to nuclear waste disposal (EFC 7) PDF

This document addresses the selection and qualification of CRAs for use in oil and gas field production facilities that handle raw and partly processed reservoir fluids at, and below, reservoir temperatures. It does not address the requirements of downstream processing facilities such as refineries.

The document is concerned with the resistance of candidate alloys to corrosion and environmental cracking. Mechanical properties are outside the scope of the document.

The test procedures proposed for evaluating environmental cracking (by SSC/SCC), are applicable to stainless steels, nickel alloys, and titanium alloys. As currently proposed, these test procedures do not account for:

i. Galvanic coupling (including cathodic protection) which can be detrimental to the cracking resistance of CRAs.

ii. The presence of liquid mercury in produced fluids.

iii. Complex circumstances in which one environment produces a susceptibility to cracking which subsequently occurs under different environmental conditions. For example, the possibility of hydrogen charging at elevated temperature, causing embrittlement after cooling, is not considered.

iv. The effect of elemental sulphur on environmental cracking has not been addressed in the main document but Supplementary Appendix S1prepared independently by the German Institute for Iron and Steel (VDEh), is included as a first step towards defining test procedures for fluids containing elemental sulphur.

The document is intended to provide a basis for future development ofCRAtesting and selection. It has been written to provide guidance and is not suitable for mandatory application. Engineering judgement and interpretation is required in the application of the document. In particular, the document is not intended for retrospective application to existing facilities that operate satisfactorily.

Edited by: Phil Jackman, Chris Fowler, Mike Swidzinski