Failure analysis of styrene reactor tubes

The analysis of failure of the styrene reactor tubes made of stainless steel has been reported where the tubes contained catalyst as well as ethyl benzene in vapour form along with superheated steam at 570 °C. The tubes were exposed to flue gases causing heating of tubes to 790 °C in the upper part where cracking and failure were mostly noticed. The studies included microstructural examinations of cracked and uncracked tubes, fracture surface investigations and estimation of creep rupture strength, etc. The degradation in microstructure such as extensive grain coarsening, sigma phase formation, carbide formation along grain boundaries, etc., led to development of cracks/voids within the grains and along the grain boundaries and also excessive oxidation of tubes. Possible chemical attack by the feed on the inner surface of tubes further deteriorated the tube life. Suggestions for avoidance of failure have been listed.