Modifications to Reduce Thermal Stresses

Multiple cracking and leak failures have occurred in tubing located within an oil refinery economizer. Metallurgical examination of the failed tubes indicates that corrosion fatigue is the most likely failure mechanism. HEA performed a finite element analysis and found that restrained thermal expansion stresses caused by tube binding were the most likely source of fatigue stresses. Tubing support modifications were suggested to reduce thermal expansion stresses.