API 571
Damage Mechanisms Fixed Equipment
in Refining Industry
Section-1
INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
1.1 : Introduction
1.2 : Scope
1.3 : Organization and use
1.4 : References
1.5 : Definition of terms
1.6 : Technical Inquiries
Section-1
1.1 Introduction
• The ASME and API design codes and standards
provide rules for the design, fabrication, inspection, and
testing of new pressure vessels, piping systems, and
storage tanks.
•These codes do not address equipment deterioration ,
deficiencies while in service due to degradation found
during subsequent inspections.
•Fitness-For-Service (FFS-API579) assessments are
quantitative engineering evaluations that are performed to
demonstrate that whether the equipment is fit for service
or not.
•The first step in a fitness-for-service is to identify the flaw
type and the cause of damage.
•Proper identification of damage mechanisms for
components containing flaws is also the first step in for
performing a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI-API580).
Section-1
1.2 Scope
• General guidance about damage mechanisms for
common alloys used in the refining and petrochemical
industry.
• These guidelines provide information that can be utilized
by plant inspection personnel for identifying causes of
damage.
• The damage mechanisms in this recommended practice
cover situations encountered in the refining and
petrochemical industry in pressure vessels, piping, and
tankage.
• The summary provided is for each damage mechanism.
• This summary is useful for FFS assessment (API 579)
or an RBI study (API RP 580).
Section-1
1.3 Organization & Use
• The information for each damage mechanism is
provided in a set format as shown below.
a) Description of Damage
b) Affected Materials
c) Critical Factors
d) Affected Units or Equipment
e) Appearance or Morphology of Damage
f) Prevention / Mitigation
g) Inspection and Monitoring
h) Related Mechanisms
i) References
• Damage mechanisms that are common to a variety of
industries including refining and petrochemical, pulp
and paper, and fossil utility are covered in Section
4.0.
• Damage mechanisms that are specific to the refining
and petrochemical industries are covered in Section
5.
• In addition, process flow diagrams are provided in 5.2
to assist the user in determining primary locations
where some of the significant damage mechanisms
are commonly found.
Section-1
1.4 References
Standards, codes and specifications cited in the
recommended practices are listed in Section 2.
References to publications that provide background and
other information pertinent to the damage mechanism are
provided in the paragraph covering each damage
mechanism.
Section-1
1.5 Definitions of Terms
A glossary of terminology and abbreviations used
throughout this document is provided in Annex 1.A.
Section-1
1.6 Technical Inquires
The procedure to submit a request for an interpretation to
API RP 57I is provided in Appendix A.
Section-2
REFERENCES
2.1 : Standards
2.2 : Other References
Section-3
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND
ABBREVIATIONS
3.1 : Terms
3.2 : Symbols & Abbreviations
Section-3
3.1 Terms
3.1.1 Austenitic – A term that refers to a type of
metallurgical structure (austenite) normally found in 300
Series stainless steels and nickel base alloys.
3.1.2 Austenitic stainless steels – The 300 Series
stainless steels including Types 304, 304L, 304H, 309,
310, 316, 316L, 316H, 321, 321H, 347, and 347H.
3.1.3 Carbon steel – Steels having no alloying elements
intentionally added. However, there may be small
amounts of elements permitted by specifications such as
SA516 and SA106, for example that can affect corrosion
resistance, hardness after welding, and toughness.
Elements which may be found in small quantities include
Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu, S, Si, P, Al, V and B.
3.1.4 Diethanolamine (DEA) – Used in amine treating to
remove H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon streams.
3.1.5 Duplex Stainless Steel – A family of stainless
steels that contain a mixed austenitic-ferritic structure
including Alloy 2205, 2304, and 2507. The welds of 300
series stainless steels may also exhibit a duplex
structure.
Section-3
3.1.6 Ferritic – A term that refers to a type of
metallurgical structure (ferrite) normally found in carbon
and low alloy steels.
3.1.7 Ferritic stainless steels – Include Types 405, 409,
430, 442, and 446.
3.1.8 Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) – The portion of the
base metal adjacent to a weld which has not been
melted, but whose metallurgical microstructure and
mechanical properties have been changed by the heat of
welding, sometimes with undesirable effects.
3.1.9 Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) – Describes
stepwise internal cracks that connect adjacent hydrogen
blisters on different planes in the metal, or to the metal
surface. No externally applied stress is needed for the
formation of HIC.
3.1.10 Low alloy steel – A family of steels containing up
to 9% chromium and other alloying additions for high
temperature strength and creep resistance. The materials
include C-0.5Mo, Mn-0.5Mo, 1Cr-0.5Mo, 1.25 Cr-0.5Mo,
2.25Cr-1.0Mo, 5Cr-0.5Mo, and 9Cr-1Mo. These are
considered ferritic steels.
Section-3
3.1.11 Martensitic – A term that refers to a type of
metallurgical structure (martensite) normally found in
some 400 series stainless steel.
3.1.12 Martensitic stainless steel – Include Types 410,
410S, 416, 420, 440A, 440B, and 440C.
3.1.13 Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) – Used in amine
treating to remove H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon
streams.
3.1.14 Monoethanolamine (MEA) – Used in amine
treating to remove H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon
streams.
3.1.15 Nickel base – A family of alloys containing nickel
as a major alloying element (>30%) including Alloys 200,
400, K-500, 800, 800H, 825, 600, 600H, 617, 625, 718,
X-750, and C276.
3.1.16 Stress oriented hydrogen induced cracking
(SOHIC) – describes an array of cracks, aligned nearly
perpendicular to the stress, that are formed by the link-up
of small HIC cracks in steel. Tensile
strength (residual or applied) is required to produce
SOHIC. SOHIC is commonly observed in the base metal
adjacent to the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) of a weld,
oriented in the through-thickness direction. SOHIC may
also be produced in susceptible steels at other high
stress points, such as from the tip of the mechanical
cracks and defects, or from the interaction among HIC on
