- Heating Equipment
- Heat Exchanger
- Piping/Fittings/Valves
- Flange
- Piping/Fittings/Valves
- Bolts
Lessons Learned The site initiated the establishment of a field patrol and strengthened their onsite monitoring of mechanical equipment during a plant-wide temperature rise.
Quantitative control of tightening torque on bolts should be carefully executed at all high-temperature and high-pressure plants.
A plant must pay close attention to both the chemical impacts and the mechanical impacts of an unexpected temperature rise during start-up operations.
Several factors are important for flange use in applications of this type. Bolting patterns/torque order need to be considered in engineering, training, stewardship, and maintenance aspects of the specific operations. Cold bolt torque requirements should be developed so hot bolting is not required or relied upon for start-up. Flange stress from an increased or decreased operating temperature needs to always be checked. Substantial industry knowledge and practice exist for flange use to ensure that such operations are conducted safely.