Exploration and Development of New Technologies for Coke Drum Fabrication and Repair

Coke Drums are a sub-system pressure vessel of Delayed Coking Units which process heavy residual oil into light-weight oil products and solid cokes. The process involves a severe thermo-mechanical cycling where significant damage occurs within 2000-5000 cycles. Welding repair employed due to its efficiency and cost effectiveness, however the external welds are more susceptible to low-cycle fatigue failures as both the base and weld metal experience cyclical hardening and softening separately. Modeling of the cyclic stress response of the base metal, weld metal, and weld transition determines the material properties indicating coke drum life span. Further testing in this can maximize the service age to coke drum materials.  

Industry Mentor: Shell, AZZ, Suncor, Stress 

Faculty: Antonio Ramirez 

Graduate Student: Jacque Berkson 

Industry Contact: Jorge Penso, Darren Barborak, Adam Rowe, Hiaxia Gao