The low-temperature behavior of metals and alloys is examined for the purpose of handling and storage of cryogenic hydrocarbons. In particular, the metallurgical factors involved in fracture-safe, economical alloy designs are studied. Examples are given of the principal types of microstructures now being employed, and specific recommendations are listed for different materials classes proposed for cryogenic hydrocarbon service. New materials research data are presented on the most representative, currently-used alloys. Finally, some unsolved materials problems are defined for future research.
Nous examinons le comportment à basses températures des métaux et des alliages employés dans la manutention et le stockage des hydrocarbures cryogéniques. On étudie en particulier les facteurs métallurgiques qui entrent en jeu dans l'élaboration d'alliages noncassants bon marché. Nous donnons des exemples des types principaux de microstructures employés à présent et nous offrons une liste de recommendations spécifiques concernant différents types de matériaux que nous proposons pour emploi en service cryogénique pour hydrocarbures. Des résultats nouveaux, fruits de recherches récentes les alliages utilisés normalement pour ce service, seront décrits. Nous définirons pour conclure quelques problèmes qui n'ont pas encore de solutions dans le domaine des materiaux cryogéniques et qui devraient faire l'object de recherches futures.
The new commercial applications of hydrocarbons require storage and/or transport over the entire range from ambient to liquid methane temperature (-259°F).
For the process designer there are posed a host of new problems in materials selection anduse, problems which can be ignored only at an extremely high project cost.1*2 On the other hand, the materials literature is approaching the state of an avalanche of data and tests with respect to fracture and strength properties at low temperatures of cryogenic materials. This paper is written to present a summary of current metallurgical experience for successful fracture-safe design uses, this with the primary accent upon good, technical materials for feasible projects. A part of our paper refers to some unsolved cryogenic materials problems which are of metallurgical research interest, and we wish to indicate the state of the research art therein. For the World Petroleum Congress we wish to stress our viewpoint that, while much cryogenic materials research is yet needed for specialty purposes, the data presently avail- by F. J. RADD, L. H. WOLFE, and L. H. CROWDER Conch Methane Services, U.S.A. able are, for the most part, adequate to do a safe job of structural design for our present hydrocarbon handling purposes.
HISTORY The petroleum industry pre-1950 experience in the use of steel tanks is not basically different from that of o
