Failure analysis of an HCl gas cylinder valve

✍ Scribed by G.R Holcomb

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 798 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1350-6307
• DOI: 10.1016/s1350-6307(99)00036-9

✦ Synopsis

The fouling failure of an anhydrous HCl gas cylinder valve was investigated after the failure led to an accidental release of HCl gas. It is surmised that water penetrated into the valve by improper purging or valving, and created a severely corrosive environment. The aluminum bronze valve body underwent general corrosion. The corrosion products, primarily nantokite (CuCl), built up within the valve and led to the fouling failure. Dezinci®cation was observed in a leaded nickel silver component of the valve. The Monel 400 valve stem was intact. The cylinder and valve testing procedures that led to the gas release incident are also examined. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.