Industrial Plant Failure, the Causes of

Industrial Plant Failure – This informative guide investigates common causes of industrial plant failure. This technical guide, originally developed by the UK's Health and Safety Executives Hazardous Installations Directorate covers the various causes of industrial plant failure including;

Corrosion

Corrosion is caused by electro-chemical processes in which a metal reacts with its environment to form an oxide or compound by the formation of cells comprising an anode (the deteriorating metal), a cathode (adjacent metal) and a conducting solution (acid / salts). It can occur both internally and externally to pipelines, vessels, plant, machinery, structures and supports. The materials selection philosophy aspect of the design phase of all plant and structures should take into account the anticipated conditions (pressure, temperature and atmosphere) and the contents of the system in order to either minimise corrosion or to make adequate allowances for it in the form of additional material thicknesses.

Good Practice Guide

Some further aspects of the use of different materials for various applications are discussed in Materials Commonly Used in Process Plant.

The initial corrosion on some metals creates an impervious coating which prevents further corrosion taking place.

Corrosion can be exacerbated by utilising different materials which then set up an electrochemical cell which in turn causes wastage of the anode.....more

Other causes of industrial plant failure covered in the guide include:

• Corrosion
• Erosion
• External Loading
• Impact
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Vibration
• Wrong Equipment
• Defective Equipment
• Human Error

To Receive Your Full Copy of this Guide

To receive your full copy of this good practice guide or for more information on please call Accepta on +44 (0) 161 877 2334 or e-mail us at info@accepta.com.