Failure Reason of Slurry Self Evaporator (Flash Drum)

By means of macroscopic inspection, chemical analysis, metallographic examination, scanning electron microscopy and EDS analysis, the leakage cause of a slurry self evaporator (flash drum) was analyzed. The results indicated that stress corrosion cracking (alkali embrittlement) was the main leakage reason, and it could be prevented by suitable selection of materials, working temperature control, alkali concentration decrease, improvement of welding quality and reduction of inner-stress of pipeline.