Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulation

This study provides detailed defect analysis and investigation of the U-bend section in an economizer within a chemical industry heat exchanger, focusing on the implications after 25 years of operation. The analysis integrates experimental techniques such as tensile and flexural testing, hardness me...

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Main Authors: Edi Purnomo, Ardi Wiranata, Deendarlianto, Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425009998
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author Edi Purnomo
Ardi Wiranata
Deendarlianto
Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun
author_facet Edi Purnomo
Ardi Wiranata
Deendarlianto
Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun
author_sort Edi Purnomo
collection DOAJ
description This study provides detailed defect analysis and investigation of the U-bend section in an economizer within a chemical industry heat exchanger, focusing on the implications after 25 years of operation. The analysis integrates experimental techniques such as tensile and flexural testing, hardness measurement, metallography, SEM-EDS, and OES, with CFD simulations to identify root causes of failure. Results show a tensile strength of 392.1 MPa and flexural strength of 1325.2 MPa, with uniform hardness across the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and unaffected areas. The SEM-EDS analysis indicates oxidation-related corrosion (FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4) due to welding defects. Moreover, CFD simulations highlight increased velocity vectors and wall shear stress around defect sites, leading to erosion. The root causes of failure are identified as welding defects and corrosion, exacerbated by operational stresses. The study emphasizes the importance of high-quality welding practices, routine inspections, and effective maintenance strategies to prevent early failure and enhance heat exchanger reliability and performance.
format Article
id doaj-art-e58a96f2c4244ca394a488a3c1da1cc3
institution DOAJ
issn 2238-7854
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Journal of Materials Research and Technology
spelling doaj-art-e58a96f2c4244ca394a488a3c1da1cc32025-08-20T03:18:18ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-05-01364692470210.1016/j.jmrt.2025.04.178Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulationEdi Purnomo0Ardi Wiranata1 Deendarlianto2Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun3Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada, IndonesiaMechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada, IndonesiaMechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia; Center for Energy Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada, IndonesiaMechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia; Center for Energy Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia; Corresponding author. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada, IndonesiaThis study provides detailed defect analysis and investigation of the U-bend section in an economizer within a chemical industry heat exchanger, focusing on the implications after 25 years of operation. The analysis integrates experimental techniques such as tensile and flexural testing, hardness measurement, metallography, SEM-EDS, and OES, with CFD simulations to identify root causes of failure. Results show a tensile strength of 392.1 MPa and flexural strength of 1325.2 MPa, with uniform hardness across the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and unaffected areas. The SEM-EDS analysis indicates oxidation-related corrosion (FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4) due to welding defects. Moreover, CFD simulations highlight increased velocity vectors and wall shear stress around defect sites, leading to erosion. The root causes of failure are identified as welding defects and corrosion, exacerbated by operational stresses. The study emphasizes the importance of high-quality welding practices, routine inspections, and effective maintenance strategies to prevent early failure and enhance heat exchanger reliability and performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425009998U-bendWelding effectFailure analysisHeat exchangerCFD
spellingShingle Edi Purnomo
Ardi Wiranata
Deendarlianto
Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun
Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulation
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
U-bend
Welding effect
Failure analysis
Heat exchanger
CFD
title Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulation
title_full Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulation
title_fullStr Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulation
title_full_unstemmed Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulation
title_short Microstructural and mechanical characterization of U-bend economizer failures: Integrating experimental testing and CFD simulation
title_sort microstructural and mechanical characterization of u bend economizer failures integrating experimental testing and cfd simulation
topic U-bend
Welding effect
Failure analysis
Heat exchanger
CFD
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425009998
work_keys_str_mv AT edipurnomo microstructuralandmechanicalcharacterizationofubendeconomizerfailuresintegratingexperimentaltestingandcfdsimulation
AT ardiwiranata microstructuralandmechanicalcharacterizationofubendeconomizerfailuresintegratingexperimentaltestingandcfdsimulation
AT deendarlianto microstructuralandmechanicalcharacterizationofubendeconomizerfailuresintegratingexperimentaltestingandcfdsimulation
AT muhammadakhsinmuflikhun microstructuralandmechanicalcharacterizationofubendeconomizerfailuresintegratingexperimentaltestingandcfdsimulation