Damage Control Column – Wet H2S Damage Mitigation

As outlined in the previous two issues of Damage Control, wet H2S damage mechanisms, including hydrogen blistering, hydrogen induced cracking (HIC), stress-oriented hydrogen induced cracking (SOHIC), and sulfide stress cracking (SSC) can require significant engineering and inspection resources to effectively manage in many refineries, process units, and pipelines worldwide. The best way to minimize long-term inspection and maintenance costs related to wet H2S damage is to prevent the damage from
occurring in the first place (or at least delay damage initiation and slow down damage progression rates). This can often be accomplished through good engineering design, fabrication, inspection, and process operating practices. This version of Damage Control will offer practical steps to mitigate these different forms of wet H2S damage.