Residual life assessment of FCCU reactor plate

Evaluation of mechanical properties is a powerful tool for investigating an d assessing the performance of service exposed materials. The trends recent ly observed in a service exposed (32 years) plain carbon steels used as a r eactor vessel material in a petrochemical industry have been highlighted in this paper. Health assessment of both base and welded joint was made using destructive accelerated stress rupture and tensile tests at different temp eratures, and some nondestructive tests. From the stress rupture tests it c ould be concluded that a life of more than 10 years at the hoop stress leve l of the material can be obtained, provided no localised damages in the for m of cracks or dents have been developed. It is recommended that a health c heck may be carried out after 5 years of service exposure at 758 K.