TPI November 2015

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42 Tube Products International November 2015
products & developments
Express delivery for heat exchanger tubes
In late-2014, the technicians of an
Egyptian propane dehydrogenation
plant had to face a situation that should
never occur: several heat exchangers
had failed unexpectedly and caused a
production shutdown.
Fast action was needed. In close
cooperation, Sandvik and the licensor
developed a solution. Within just ten
weeks, Sandvik delivered 12 tons of
super-duplex tubes (Sandvik SAF 2507),
and demonstrated the effectiveness
of its express delivery programme for
duplex steels.
Besides major precautions when
operating a plant, unexpected material
failures cannot be ruled out completely.
The consequences can extend from
partial to full shutdowns, causing
production losses of potentially
immense costs.
In the case of the Egyptian plant,
Sandvik was able to use its extensive
expertise in producing and testing
seamless stainless steel tubes, as
well as its high delivery flexibility and
its long-term relationship with the
licensor.
During a visit by the licensor to
Sandvik’s tube mill in Werther, Germany,
Sandvik demonstrated the production
of seamless stainless tubes, with the
destructive and non-destructive testing
methods reassuring the customer of the
company’s level of professionalism.
Sandvik’s flexible delivery capabilities
made an important difference.
In the space of ten weeks Sandvik
manufactured and delivered the super-
duplex tubes, which were all to a non-
standard dimension, in accordance
with the customer’s specification and
with 3.2 inspections in several partial
deliveries.
SAF 2507 (EN 1.4410) is a high-alloyed
stainless duplex steel specifically
developed for operation in highly cor-
rosive environments. Its austenitic-ferri-
tic microstructure is carefully balanced
(50:50) and guarantees high corrosion
resistance with a pitting resistance
equivalent number of min. 42.5.
Sandvik’s express delivery programme
for duplex steels was launched in 2013.
Its concept is to deliver duplex (Sandvik
SAF 2205) and super-duplex (Sandvik
SAF 2507) heat exchanger tubes
within six to eight weeks, according to
customer specification.
“The close cooperation between
Sandvik and the licensor as well as
the availability of pre-material and
the production flexibility were the
key success factors of this project,”
explained Christoph Bradter, key
account manager at Sandvik.
Sandvik (Düsseldorf sales office) –
Germany
Corrosion protection
Corrosion protection specialist Alfa
Solution has launched a new range
of volatile corrosion inhibiting (VCI)
products for the engineering and
manufacturing industries.
Molecules in the VCI vapour form an
invisible barrier on ferrous and non-
ferrous metal surfaces, which inhibits
the electro-chemical reactions that lead
to corrosion.
The newProGardo range of VCI products
includes tablets, capsules, films, bags,
wipes, spray and desiccant. The tablets
can be placed in enclosed areas where
they give off protective vapour, providing
protection for up to five years. Larger
capsules will also absorb
chloride and sulphide
gases to provide additional
protection.
ProGardo shrink-wrap film
is impregnated with VCI
chemicals and is suitable
for wrapping components
or complete plant and
machinery.
ProGardo bags are not
only impregnated with VCI
chemicals but can also be supplied
containing desiccants that will draw
moisture from the air.
Sprays and wipes in the ProGardo range
can be used to apply VCI chemicals
directly to vulnerable surfaces, and will
clear minor existing corrosion.
Rune Johansen of Alfa Solution
commented, “Using two or more
ProGardo products in combination can
provide total corrosion prevention for
extended periods.”
Alfa Solution offers full instructions and,
if appropriate, training in the use of the
products. Solutions can be customised
for each individual requirement.
Alfa Solution – Norway
Heat exchanger tubes
Component in ProGardo film