Ionix Advanced Technologies, experts in high-temperature in-service ultrasonic asset-integrity tools, evaluate the benefits and challenges of detecting and monitoring sulfidic corrosion, a ubiquitous damage mechanism in refineries, and how new technologies have emerged to meet the updated standards and best practices.

Sulfidic corrosion of steel in downstream refining assets is a ubiquitous damage mechanism occurring in sulfur containing crudes when heated between 230 °C and 425 °C [1], which is difficult to predict, costly to repair and has caused catastrophic ruptures in piping, tubing, pressure vessels and other refinery assets. Recent updates to recommended practices, require 100% inspection of components at risk, and those showing signs of accelerated corrosion necessitate monitoring. Recent advances in ultrasonic testing (UT) technology now allows for the inspection and continuous monitoring to be undertaken whilst the components are on-stream, at temperature, with high-resolution thickness data, removing the need for prior, or additional screening.