Identification of the causes of non-uniformity of the condensate collector metal of the main gas pipeline

Abstract

Abstract The complex of negative effects of hydrogen on metal, leading to destruction of metal structures, is commonly called hydrogen corrosion. The object of the study was a sample of steel A 516-55 condensate collector of the main gas pipeline, which was subjected to hydrogen stratification. The aim of the work was to establish a link between the non-uniformity of the metal and its tendency to hydrogen stratification. The work solved problems that were aimed at studying the physical and mechanical properties and microstructure of the analysed metal. X-ray fluorescence analysis was carried out to identify the causes of discontinuities within the metal. A light microscopy method was carried out to study the microstructure of the test sample taken from the focus zone of the condensate collector destruction. The microstructure was examined using the “METAM RV - 22 type EU LOMO metallographic microscope. An X-ray fluorescence analysis was carried out to determine the causes of the discontinuity within the metal. Tests were performed on a EDX-800HS spectrometer at various X-ray tube operations. It has been found that the inhomogeneities are due to the uneven distribution of manganese in the metal body. A post-publication change was made to this article on 11 Jun 2020 to correct the pdf so that it matched the webpage.