High-temperature corrosion-related failure mechanisms in Ammonia Plant Equipment

Ammonia plant equipment operates under demanding conditions: elevated temperatures, aggressive environments, and high applied/residual stress. BakerRisk has facilitated a world-wide Ammonia & Fertilizer Joint Industry Program (A&F JIP) to address damage mechanisms and mitigation options. This presentation discusses some high-temperature corrosion-related failure mechanisms, their causes, how to recognize them, and ways to reduce the risk. Some of failure mechanisms common to ammonia plant equipment discussed are: metal dusting, nitriding, oxidation, and high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA). It is important to understand these failure mechanisms, their causes and types of equipment affected in order to reduce the risk of failure.