High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) is an insidious condition that can occur in process equipment exposed to hydrogen at elevated temperatures (at least 400F or 204C), under dry conditions, when hydrogen disassociates into nascent (atomic) hydrogen, which is then driven into the steel by the temperature and pressure of the environment. The atomic hydrogen then reacts with unstable carbides in steel to form methane gas, which accumulates in the microstructural grain boundaries, eventually leading to cracking. This is often hazardous as the equipment usually contains hydrocarbons at high pressures and temperatures.

EQS Global engineering and advanced NDT team use their experience, knowledge, software and state-of-the-art technology to detect and evaluate HTHA.

Our services include:

• Hydrogen Advanced Ultrasonic Testing;
• Metallography & Materials Characterization;
• Fitness-For-Service Assessments (FFS).

EQS Global is a Certified Company, an Accredited Inspection Body, and a European Notified Body (NoBo), offering a full range of services dedicated to inspection and testing, and the necessary knowledge to support its clients throughout the assets' lifecycle.