UreaKnowHow.com welcomes GEXCON as our Sponsor

Gexcon is a world-leading company in the field of safety and risk management and advanced dispersion, explosion and fire modelling.

Our experience arises from detailed knowledge of explosion phenomena built up through years of extensive research projects, carrying out safety assessments, performing accident investigations and conducting physical testing at the company’s facilities. Headquartered in Bergen, Norway, Gexcon has offices in Australia (Perth), China (Shanghai), France (Paris), India (Pune and Mumbai), Indonesia (Jakarta), the Netherlands (Utrecht), Sweden (Borås), the UAE (Dubai), the UK (Manchester) and USA (Houston, Bethesda, and Boston). Our team of experienced engineers and specialists can assist in identifying hazards, understanding risks and contribute to improving your company’s overall safety performance. We believe in a tailor-made and individual approach for each client, and by working together, we will find the most optimal process to identify the company’s needs to manage your most critical risks. Due to our commitment and passion within process safety and risk management,... Click here to read more

SAIPEM approves AMMO LASER Leak Detection System

Urea incident databases and risk registers clearly prove the need for a proper leak detection system for loose liners of high-pressure urea equipment as the #1 Safeguard for Any Urea Plant. UreaKnowHow.com and KeyTech Engineering Company have developed an active vacuum-based leak detection system with the most accurate and reliable ammonia analyzer: The AMMO LASER Leak Detection System. This leak detection system is the most reliable leak detection system over all existing leak detection systems in operation so far.

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UreaKnowHow.com starts up an E-MarketPlace

UreaKnowHow.com introduces a new initiative for the nitrogen fertilizer industry: An E-MarketPlace for revamps, upgrades, equipment supply, diagnostics, audits, repairs, etcetera. Post your equipment / project and/or services requests or offers (excluding confidential information) in our E-MarketPlace. Click here for posting your inquiries and click here for posting your offers.

High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) in Ammonia Plants

High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) is a problem which concerns steels operating at elevated temperatures in hydrogen environments. It is not to be confused with hydrogen embrittlement or other forms of low temperature hydrogen damage. HTHA is a time-temperature-pressure function. These, basically means the longer that a piece of equipment is exposed to temperatures above its resistance limit in certain hydro-process environment (see API941-NELSON Curve), the more damage to the steel will accumulate; and the higher the temperature rises above the limit of the steel, the more rapidly the damage will occur. Monitoring the integrity of equipment in HTHA-Service is necessary to avoid accidents, especially if one of the following reasons are true: - HTHA in many old plants -is true for many ammonia plants- can occur especially after a long onstream-time, if the incubation time ended. - However, there have been several cases where HTHA was found, even though operating conditions were below the Nelson Curve. - There are new findings since 2016: After explosion in the TESORO refinery with 7 dead, it must be assumed that HTHA in C steel can already be expected at > 204 °C and a hydrogen partial pressure of pH2 > 3.45 bar. It is strongly recommended to monitor the integrity of HTHA vulnerable equipment! Due to the age of many ammonia plants, a lot of equipment may need to be replaced. For avoiding HTHA of new equipment, use the recommendations for fabrication of new equipment in the hydrogen service according API 941 and API 934A! Click here for more information