Root Caused Failure Analysis Deodorizer Column at Expansion Bellow and Vacuum Chamber Connection to Column in Refinery Plant
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25170/jpk.v2i05.6987Keywords:
Root caused failure analysis, Vacuum Chamber, FatigueAbstract
Vacuum chamber that connecting the deodorizer column to the condenser had collapsed. The leaks were potentially occurring prior to the collapse of the vacuum chamber. The loading and unloading operation could make a fluctuating dynamic stress. In addition to the fluctuating dynamic stresses, fatigue failure mechanism had occured. The crack developed and gradually propagated in the welded joints which welded on the site due to it was proved have low mechanical properties as shown in tensile test. Follow the welding procedure specification (WPS) document, inspect the preparation of the welding process to ensure that the single-V groove is being prepared
appropriately, inspect the weld during and/or after the welding process to ensure that it has achieved complete joint penetration and employ another non-destructive testing method, such as radiography, to verify the completeness of the joint penetration are recommended to prevent the similar failure in the future.
References
Yang Peng, Jie Chen, Jun Dong. (2019) “Experimental Data Assessment and Fatigue Design Recommendation for Stainless-Steel Welded Joints”, Metals 9(7): 723. Basel: MDPI.
ASME (2023). Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX: Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications. ASME BPVC-IX. New York: American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Razmjoo, G.R. (1995). Design Guidance on Fatigue of Welded Stainless Steel Joints. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Onshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, Copenhagen, Denmark, 18–22 June 1995.
Grasp Engineering (2025). What is Fatigue Analysis? Stages of Fatigue Analysis (https://www.graspengineering.com/what-is-fatigue-analysis-stages-of-fatigueanalysis/) . Accessed: June 25th, 2025.
Jiang, Wenchun; Xie, Xuefang; Wang, Tianjiao; Zhang, Xiancheng; Tu , Shan-Tung; Wang, Jinguang; Zhao, Xu. (2021) “Fatigue life prediction of 316L stainless steel weld joint including the role of residual stress and its evolution”, Int. J. Fatigue 143. Qingdao: Elsevier.
American Society for Testing and Materials (2022), ASTM E8/E8M: Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
American Society for Testing and Materials (1995), ASTM E1009-95: Standard Practice for Evaluating an Optical Emission Vacuum Spectrometer to Analyze Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
American Society for Testing and Materials (1995), ASTM E3-95: Standard Practice for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
American Society for Testing and Materials (2007), ASTM E407-07: Standard Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

