Integrated System for Quantitative Real-Time Monitoring of Hydrogen-Induced Cracking in Simulated Sour Environment

• US 20170191969A1
• Filed: 01/06/2016
• Published: 07/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Traidia, Abderrazak, Sherik, Abdelmounam, Lewis, Arnold
• Granted Patent: US 10,295,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/006 of metals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0234 Metals, e.g. steel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0258 Structural degradation, e.g. fatigue of composites, ageing of oils
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0289 Internal structure, e.g. defects, grain size, texture
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/101 one transducer
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/04 Analysing solids using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/043 in the interior, e.g. by shear waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/225 Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/30 Arrangements for calibrating or comparing, e.g. with standard objects

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for monitoring hydrogen-induced cracking in at least one test specimen. The method includes the steps of: saturating a test solution with a gas comprising H₂S and delivering the saturated test solution into a test cell, wherein the test cell comprises at least one specimen port and at least one test specimen. The specimen port is configured to receive the test specimen. The method also includes the step of exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution, wherein only one surface of each specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution and the step of scanning the test specimen with a ultrasonic transducer at two or more time points, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operatively connected to the specimen port and configured to rotate completely around the symmetry axis of the test specimen to complete each scan.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring hydrogen-induced cracking in at least one test specimen, comprising:

saturating a test solution with a gas comprising H₂S;

delivering the saturated test solution into a test cell, wherein the test cell comprises at least one specimen port and at least one test specimen, the specimen port being configured to receive the test specimen;

exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution, wherein only one surface of each specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution; and

scanning the test specimen with a ultrasonic transducer at two or more time points, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operatively connected to the specimen port and configured to rotate completely around the symmetry axis of the test specimen to complete each scan.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one test specimen is comprised of a metal that is susceptible to hydrogen-induced cracking.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one test specimen is comprised of steel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution is conducted at ambient pressure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution is conducted at a pressure higher than ambient pressure.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

rotating the test cell about 45 degrees in a clockwise direction relative to the direction of gravity prior to exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

rotating the test cell about 45 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the direction of gravity prior to exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

heating the test cell while the test specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of heating comprises wrapping an electrical heating belt around the outside of the test cell.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of calibrating the ultrasonic transducer prior to scanning the test specimen.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of calibrating the ultrasonic transducer comprises the steps of:

inserting a calibration block into the specimen port;

testing firing elements of the ultrasonic transducer on the calibration block; and

deactivating one or more firing elements of the ultrasonic transducer.

12. A system for monitoring hydrogen-induced cracking in a laboratory environment, comprising:

a source of sour gas;

a test solution tank comprising a test solution and into which the sour gas is introduced such that the test solution becomes saturated with the sour gas;

a test cell defining a semi-open fluid vessel, the fluid vessel being in fluid communication with the test solution tank such that the fluid vessel receives the saturated test solution;

a test cell holder configured to rotate the test cell;

at least one specimen port operatively connected to the fluid vessel and configured to hold a test specimen such that one surface of each test specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution; and

an ultrasonic transducer operatively connected to the at least one specimen port and configured to rotate around the test specimen to scan the HIC defects of the test specimen.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the test cell holder is configured to rotate the test cell about −

45 degrees relative to the direction of gravity and lock the test cell at that position for a test duration.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the test cell holder is configured to rotate the test cell about +45 degrees relative to the direction of gravity and lock test cell at that position for a test duration.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is configured to rotate with respect to the symmetry axis of the test specimen.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein each specimen port comprises a wedge on top of which the ultrasonic transducer is attached, and wherein the wedge is configured to rotate with respect to the symmetry axis of the test specimen resulting in the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the ultrasonic transducer covers half of the top surface of the wedge.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the wedge is rotated manually.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the wedge is operatively connected to a motor such that the motor automates the rotation of the wedge and the ultrasonic transducer.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the system comprises at least two specimen ports.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the system comprises at least one specimen port configured to connect to a eudiometer device for measuring the hydrogen permeation rate through the test specimen.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one test specimen is comprised of a metal that is susceptible to hydrogen-induced cracking.

23. The system claim 22, wherein each test specimen is comprised of steel.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein the system further comprises a fluid conduit for transferring the saturated test solution from the test solution tank to the fluid vessel of the test cell, the fluid conduit being positioned such that it terminates in front of the each specimen port within the fluid vessel of the test cell.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the system further comprises one or more screens attached to the end of fluid conduit 110 that terminates within the fluid vessel of the test cell, the screens being configured to agitate the test solution exposed to the test specimen.

26. The system of claim 12, further comprising an encoder operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer and fixed to the specimen clamp, wherein the encoder is configured to be linearly displaced as the wedge rotates, resulting in a full scan of the test specimen.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the encoder is a wheel encoder.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the encoder is an optical encoder.