Carburization of Ethylene Pyrolysis Furnace Tube in a Petrochemical Plant

Carburization phenomena of the ethylene pyrolysis furnace tube made of 25Cr35NiNb alloy were investigated after service for approximate 30,000 h in a petrochemical plant. Three different zones, namely, oxidation zone, carburization zone, and aging product zone, were observed in the cross section of furnace tube by microscopic analysis. The oxidation zone near the inner surface has a thickness of about 700 μm and possesses the characterization of many loose pores and voids. The inner surface has a continuous thin Cr₂O₃ layer and the grain boundaries near the inner wall are mainly composed of mixed oxides of Cr₂O₃ and SiO₂. In addition, segregation of impurities S and P was detected at grain boundaries. The dark gray SiO₂ distributes in the front of the oxidation zone. Carbides distribute at grain boundaries in the carburization zone with lots of voids and micro cracks. The width of grain boundary is broadened. According to the experimental results, the initiation of cracks may be promoted by carbides at grain boundaries. The uneven distribution of the Cr element was found in the carburization zone, and direct experimental evidence of Cr element diffusion was detected. In the aging product zone, the carbides evolution was observed. The chromium carbides are composed of Cr₇C₃ and Cr₂₃C₆. The microstructure and composition evolutions of the furnace tube and their effects on service life of ethylene pyrolysis furnace tube were also discussed.