NACE Standards – What are they?

We are often asked if our filter housings conform to NACE. Of course, standard stainless steel filter housing products are produced from 316L bar stock so readily conform. But what are the NACE standards? We thought it would be interesting to talk about these some more detail.

Who are NACE?

NACE International, formerly known as National Association of Corrosion Engineers, was established in 1943 by eleven corrosion engineers from the pipeline industry as the “National Association of Corrosion Engineers.” The founding engineers were originally part of a regional group formed in the 1930s when the study of cathodic protection was introduced. Since then, NACE International has become the global leader in developing corrosion prevention and control standards, certification and education. The members of NACE International still include engineers, as well as numerous other professionals working in a range of areas related to corrosion control.

NACE MR0175 Standard

NACE International provides and publishes standards such as the MR0175 in this standard, NACE International provides guidance on which corrosion resistant alloys and materials should be used for preventing sulfide stress cracking. These guidelines are determined from the collection of laboratory experimental data and field experience related to cracking resistance of metallic materials in a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) containing environment. In the NACE International standards, a H2S containing environment may also be recognised as a “sour gas environment.” The NACE MR0175 standard, also known as ISO15156 (International Standard), was developed for the prevention of sulfide stress cracking due to H2S in oil and gas production systems. Historically, for the refining process, the MR0175 standard was used as a guideline for choosing suitable materials. However, the refining process environment is outside of the scope of the MR0175 standard, this is because MR0175 was originally written for the most aggressive environment which will always be the wellhead and extraction equipment environment.

The MR0103 standard

The MR0103 standard defines material requirements for resistance to sulfide stress cracking (SSC) in sour refinery process environments, i.e., environments that contain wet hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The term “wet H2S cracking” as used in the refining industry covers a range of damage mechanisms that can occur due to the effects of hydrogen charging in wet H2S refinery or gas plant process environments. One of the types of material damage that can occur as a result of hydrogen charging is sulfide stress cracking (SSC) of hard weldments and microstructures, which is addressed by this standard. This standard is intended to be utilised by refineries, equipment manufacturers, engineering contractors, and construction contractors. It is intended for the main piping, vessels and associated refinery equipment, the welding and general refinery construction.

What is the difference between NACE MR-0103 and MR-0175?

In simple terms MR0175 is a far more stringent and detailed specification, it is meant for the most aggressive corrosion area of oil production, the wellhead and extraction point equipment. This is the area where everything is untreated and the highest concentrations of H2S are found – it is also the highest risk area for corrosion and in particular sulphide stress cracking. MR-0103 however addresses the refinery and associated equipment construction – by its nature these areas have a much lower concentration of H2S and a far lower risk of sulphide stress cracking and for this reason it does not deal with equipment such as filter housings and valves, just the main construction and methods.

Filter Housings that conform to NACE

So if you have a requirement for filter housings or PTFE-membrane housings then Classic Filters are able to supply these from stock in a huge range of port sizes and pressure rating up to 1400 bar.

 
For more information about our filter housings with NACE please contact us by calling +44 (0)1634 724224 or send us an email to [email protected]