From API RP 571 on Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC):
“MIC depends on the presence of water, nutrients, and specific microbial species such as SRB (sulfate-reducing bacteria).â€
“While flow velocity may influence deposition and oxygen content, MIC can occur in both stagnant and flowing systems. Hence, it's not strongly dependent on velocity.â€
Thus, option D is correct — MIC is largely independent of flow velocity.
API RP 571, under "Caustic Corrosion" (also referred to as Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking or Caustic Cracking), notes that this form of damage is:
“Most commonly associated with the injection points of caustic (e.g., NaOH) in crude units, particularly upstream of desalter vessels and heat exchanger circuits.â€
“This damage occurs due to the combination of caustic environment and tensile stress, especially in carbon steel and low alloy steels.â€
“Stress relief heat treatment of welds can mitigate susceptibility.â€
(Reference: API RP 571, 3rd Edition, Section 4.2.2.3)
Thus, among the options, caustic injections in crude units are the most typical area of concern, making option C the correct answer.
Question # 7
The most effective mitigation for amine stress corrosion cracking is:
“Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is the most effective method for reducing residual stresses that contribute to amine SCC. PWHT minimizes the stress intensity required for crack initiation and growth.â€
Lowering temperature helps but is not always feasible.
Water content and amine concentration affect SCC but are not as impactful as PWHT.
Thus, Option A (Post-weld heat treatment) is the most effective mitigation.
Question # 8
During inspection of a process unit where sulfidation from high-temperature hydrogen exists in Hâ‚‚S streams, the inspector should:
A.
Use ultrasonic testing or radiographic testing thickness readings to monitor for loss of wall thickness
B.
Use penetrant testing and magnetic-particle testing to look for surface-breaking cracks
C.
Use angle beam ultrasonic testing to look for cracking at the mid-wall
D.
Take boat samples and send them to the lab for metallographic analysis
API RP 571 under Sulfidation (High Temperature Sulfidic Corrosion) recommends:
“Thickness monitoring using ultrasonic testing (UT) or radiographic testing (RT) is the most common method for detection of wall loss due to sulfidation.â€
“Sulfidation results in uniform thinning, especially in low Cr steels in hydrogen/Hâ‚‚S environments.â€
(Reference: API RP 571, Section 4.2.1.1 – Sulfidation)
Thus, option A is the most appropriate and effective inspection method.