Training on Detecting High-Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) Using Advanced Ultrasonic Array Technology

High Temperature Hydrogen Attack

• High temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), also called hot hydrogen attack, is a problem which concerns steels operating at elevated temperatures (typically above 400°C) in hydrogen environments, in refinery, petrochemical and other chemical facilities and, possibly, high pressure steam boilers
• HTHAis the result of hydrogen dissociating and dissolving in the steel, and then reacting with the carbon in solution in the steel to form methane bubbles. This can result in either surface decarburization, when the reaction mostly occurs at the surface and draws carbon from the material, or internal decarburization when atomic hydrogen penetrates the material and reacts with carbon to form methane, which accumulates at grain boundaries and/or precipitate interfaces and cannot diffuse out of the steel. This causes the fissures and cracking which are typical of HTHA
• HTHA results from hydrogen service at elevated temperatures and pressures. The hydrogen reacts with carbides in steel to from methane (CH4) which cannot diffuse through the steel. The loss of carbide causes an overall loss in strength. Methane pressure builds up, forming micro fissures that may combine to form cracks

Training Days

Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)– 5-Days Course for Detecting High-Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) Inspection (40 Hours)

Course Outline

The course covers the following key areas:

• Overview of High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA)
• Fundamentals of Ultrasonic Testing
• Advanced Ultrasonic Array Methods for Detecting HTHA
• Equipment Configuration and Calibration
• Identification of HTHA
• Analysis and Reporting of Test Data