The Role of Failure Analysis on Maintaining Reliability of Oil Refinery for Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Abstract Reliability of oil refinery unit in energy industry is very important to enhance sustainable development goals in Indonesia. When an important component on a system fails, the whole system will be shut down. As a result, potential lack of energy supply will be high and give a huge impact to sustainable development goals. Therefore failure analysis should be done immediately to make the system working again. The purpose of this research is to find out the main cause of failure on shroud plate of orifice chamber on refinery unit in order to avoid similar problem in the future. Root cause analysis method is used to investigate the main cause of failure with performing several tests and examinations on the specimens. The specimen is taken from failed shroud plate made of SS 304H around failure area. Testing and examinations result shows that shroud plate of orifice chamber has a crack on both circumferential weld and horizontal weld. Further examination also shows some evidence of inter granular corrosion attack or sensitization and formation of chrome carbides. Another testing result also found some degradation of mechanical properties of the specimens. It is concluded that the main cause of failure of shroud plate of orifice chamber is a combination of overheating that promote sensitization and degradation of mechanical properties. By observing the main cause of failure on shroud plate of orifice chamber, quick repair or replacement can be done correctly and reliability of oil refinery can be maintained to support sustainable development goals.