Oxidation Damage Analysis of Ferritic Alloy Steel Heater Tubes in Catalytic Reforming Unit

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Reformer heater tubes operate in a complex environment involving high temperatures, pressure, and corrosive atmospheres.Depending on the operating conditions, several mechanisms can occur, such as creep, oxidation, high-temperature hydrogen attack, and carburization.This paper aims to evaluate the degradation degree of catalytic reformer heater tubes made of ferritic alloy-steel A 335 grade P22 based on a combination of inspection techniques, including visual inspection, microstructure observation, metallographic analysis, and mechanical properties testing.The results show severe oxidation and scaling occurring on the outer surface of the heater tube due to operating the tubes above recommended levels.Several recommendations are suggested to reduce the risk of thermal oxidation and prevent similar damages from reoccurring in the future.