N-1705

REV. A

ENGLISH

SEP / 98

DESIGN OF PRESSURE VESSEL FOR

CAUSTIC SODA SERVICE
Procedure
This Standard replaces and cancels the previous revision .
This Standard is the Revalidation of the previous revision.
The Responsible CONTEC Subcommittee provides guidance on the
interpretation of this Standard when questions arise regarding its contents. The
Department of PETROBRAS that uses this Standard is fully responsible for
adopting and applying the clauses thereof.

CONTEC
Comisso de Normas
Tcnicas

SC - 02
Tanks & Vessel

Mandatory Requirement: a provision established as being the most adequate

and which shall be used strictly in accordance with this Standard. If a decision
is taken not to follow the requirement ("non-conformity" to this Standard) it
shall be based on well-founded economic and management reasons, and be
approved and registered by the Department of PETROBRAS that uses this
Standard. It is characterized by the verb forms "shall", "it is necessary...", "is
required to...", "it is required that...", "is to...", "has to...", "only ... is
permitted", and other equivalent expressions having an imperative nature.
Recommended Practice (nonmandatory) a provision that may be adopted
under the conditions of this Standard, but which admits (and draws attention
to) the possibility of there being a more adequate alternative (not written in
this Standard) to the particular application. The alternative adopted shall be
approved and registered by the Department of PETROBRAS that uses this
Standard. It is characterized by the verbal form "should" and equivalent
expressions such as "it is recommended that..." and "ought to..." (verbs of a
nonmandatory nature). It is indicated by the expression: [Recommended
Practice].
Copies of the registered "non-conformities" to this Standard that may
contribute to the improvement thereof shall be submitted to the Responsible
CONTEC Subcommittee.
Proposed revisions to this Standard shall be submitted to the Responsible
CONTEC Subcommittee, indicating the alphanumeric identification and
revision of the Standard, the clause(s) to be revised, the proposed text, and
technical/economic justification for revision. The proposals are evaluated
during the work for alteration of this Standard.
The present Standard is exclusive ownership of PETRLEO
BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS, for internal use in the company,
and any copy for external use or disclosure, without previous
express authorization, implies unlawful act pursuant the relevant
legislation through which the applicable responsibilities shall be
imputed. The external circulation shall be regulated by a specific
clause of Secrecy and Confidentiality, pursuant the terms of the
intellectual and industrial property law.

Foreword
PETROBRAS technical standards are prepared by Working Groups GTs
(consisting of PETROBRAS specialists and PETROBRAS Subsidiaries specialists), are commented by Local
Representatives (representatives of the Industrial Units, Engineering Projects, Technical Divisions and
PETROBRAS Subsidiaries), are approved by Responsible Subcommittees SCs (consisting of specialists
belonging to the same speciality, representing the various PETROBRAS Departments and PETROBRAS
Subsidiaries), and approved by CONTEC General Assembly (consisting of representatives of the
Superintendencies of the PETROBRAS Departments and PETROBRAS Subsidiaries that use PETROBRAS
technical standards). A PETROBRAS technical standard is subjected to revision at any time by the Responsible
Subcommittee and must be reviewed every five years to be revalidated, revised or cancelled. PETROBRAS
technical standards are prepared in accordance with standard PETROBRAS N - 1. For complete
information about PETROBRAS standards see PETROBRAS Technical Standards Catalog.

PROPERTY OF PETROBRAS

8 pages

N-1705

REV. A

ENGLISH

SEP / 98

BLANK PAGE
2

N-1705

REV. A

ENGLISH

SEP / 98

PREFACE
This Standard PETROBRAS N-1705 REV. A SEP/98 is the Revalidation of the Standard
PETROBRAS N-1705 REV. JUL/80, the contents of which were not changed.

1 SCOPE

1.1 This Standard establishes the conditions required in the design, fabrication and erection of
pressure vessels for service with sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (caustic soda). Services
involving other alkaline substances shall be analyzed case by case, not being covered by this
Standard.

1.2 This Standard is a complement of standards PETROBRAS N-253, N-268 and N-269
which shall be followed to the extent that it may be applicable.

1.3 In case of heat exchangers, when only one of the circulating fluids contains caustic soda,
requirements provided by this Standard apply to the parts in contact with this fluid.

1.4 This Standard is applied to designs beginning with its date of issuance.

1.5 This Standard contains only Mandatory Requirements.

2 COMPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTS
The following documents are referenced in the text and contain valid rules for this standard.
PETROBRAS N-253
PETROBRAS N-268
PETROBRAS N-269
NACE

- Pressure Vessel Design;

- Pressure Vessel Fabrication;
- Montagem de Vaso de Presso;
- Corrosion Data Survey - Metals Section.

3 MATERIALS

3.1 Selection of materials shall be made based on the maximum working temperature and
weight percent concentration of the caustic soda aqueous solution, as shown in FIGURE A-1,
of the ANNEX A which is in accordance with "NACE - Corrosion Data Survey - Metals
Section".

N-1705

REV. A

ENGLISH

SEP / 98

3.2 The materials indicated in item 3.2.1 to 3.2.5 shall be employed, according to the region of
FIGURE A-1, of the ANNEX A.

3.2.1 Region I
The use of carbon steel is acceptable with no limitations, however, a minimum corrosion
overthickness of 1.5 mm shall be adopted. Cast iron should also be used in parts which permit
the employment of cast pieces.

3.2.2 Region II
The employment of carbon steel is permitted for shells, covers, nozzles necks and flanges,
however, the vessel shall be obligatorily submitted to stress relief heat treatment, covering all
welds and cold forming regions. A minimum corrosion overthickness of 1.5 mm shall be
adopted. Heat exchanger tubes and removable internal pieces shall be made in Monel.

3.2.3 Region III (see also 3.2.4 and 3.2.5)

The following materials shall be employed:
a) austenitic stainless steel, for temperatures up to 100C and concentrations up to
60%;
b) Monel, for temperatures up to 150C, with any concentration;
c) nickel with low carbon content (Type 201), for temperatures above those
indicated in previous items.
Note: These materials shall be used either as solid parts or lining.

3.2.4 Alternative to Region III

For services in Region III, the following material shall be employed, as an alternative, when
this is a cost effective and constructively feasible option; carbon steel with lining of aminocured epoxy, for temperatures up to 70C. The use of this alternative requires previous
approval of PETROBRAS in each case.

3.2.5 Replaceable Parts with Services in Region III

As to parts considered replaceable in cases suitable for Region III, with temperatures up to
150C and concentrations up to 50%, the following materials shall be used:
a) carbon steel with 6 mm corrosion overthickness;
b) 3 1/2% Ni with 3 mm corrosion overthickness;
c) cast iron or, preferably, cast nickel-iron.

N-1705

REV. A

ENGLISH

SEP / 98

3.3 Requirements of this Standard are not applicable for cases where caustic soda is
contaminated with chlorates which shall considerably increase the nickel corrosion ratio.

Note: Presence of chlorates is inherent in the caustic soda production process through
diaphragm cells.

3.4 When is necessary to avoid product contamination, nickel (solid or as lining) shall be used
in all equipment and internals.

4 PARTIAL LINING
When an equipment is partially lined with Monel or nickel, a section consisting of a 150 mm
width minimum, adjacent to the end of the lining, shall also be covered with carbon steel strips,
as shown in FIGURE A-2, of the ANNEX A, to prevent possible galvanic corrosion localized
on the base material of the equipment.

Note: In principle, welded strips lining is not used. Its use is subject to PETROBRAS
approval. In vessels subject to heat treatment this lining shall not be used.

____________

/ANNEX A

N-1705

REV. A

ENGLISH

SEP / 98

BLANK PAGE
6