Petrochemical glycerin tower.

[Hosebeast]

So I'm brand new to the forums and this is my first post, it will be a long one at that too.

This post is also more for my pipefitters, steamfitters, and boiler makers.

So to begin the company i work for came to me asking how to weld this tower together. Its made of 316L SS, has a 16' i.d and is 3/4" thick . it's in its whole it's 64' long, one piece is 34' and the other is 30'.

Now I told them they need to purge it before tacking and while welding to keep the purity of the metal etc. etc. It need to have a tig root and a hot pass put in before we switch to wire. Also, I told them they need to up the grade of metal for filler to 317L to prevent any kind of corosion on the weld joint. Basically anything that needs to happen to have this job done right I've told them what they need to do.

Now, they just hired a new welder and he is basically trying to take this project over. He wants to put aluminum tape on the back of the joint to avoid purging...... he wants to tack without a purge and burn all the precious chromium out of that steel. And he wants to run some garbage wire the whole way through for the root, hot, and cover passes.

Now, I have went through an apprenticeship and made fitting/welding my career, although I am only 25.

Now his way is faster and that's all the company seems to be interested in. We all have a meeting in the morning about this.

My question is how do I talk to this people and convince them that what he is trying to do is not right, what's going through that tower will eat through that weld in no time flat. While also convincing them them that I may be young but I do have a wide knowledge of what I'm talking about.

[fabricator]

Whether who is right or wrong is not of importance.The issue is that the correct weld procedure must be followed by the tank manufacturer. If there is no way to obtain one than a structural / weld engineer should be the one to write it up. Also A tank / vessel must be welded by the correct procedure in order for the manufacturer to warranty its product.

[ryanjones2150]

It won't be the last time you have a disagreement about how to do something on the job, regardless of what field you're in.

[Hosebeast]

Whether who is right or wrong is not of importance.The issue is that the correct weld procedure must be followed by the tank manufacturer. If there is no way to obtain one than a structural / weld engineer should be the one to write it up. Also A tank / vessel must be welded by the correct procedure in order for the manufacturer to warranty its product.

Right, you are fabricator, but they refuse to get an engineer to look at it. And they won't call the manufacturer to confirm anything.

[Hosebeast]

It won't be the last time you have a disagreement about how to do something on the job, regardless of what field you're in.

This is also true sir, this isn't my first rodeo I've had my fair share of heated debates.

[MMW]

All you can do is present the facts, not opinions, as you know them & it is best if you have some kind if documentation to back it up. After that it is the companies decision. If the company chooses to do it another way they can because the liability is all on them & they write the checks. If you are in charge of the project & they go against you then get it writing that you are not responsible if it fails in the future. It seems like an expensive job to do & probably a whole lot more expensive if it needs to be redone.

I agree there probably is some sort of weld procedure that should be followed. I have never come across something that involves chemicals & piping where a company just wings it.

[aametalmaster]

Wait until its all welded up and the company who bought it won't accept it or make someone cut it all apart and reweld it. I came from a refinery and sorta know how they do things. Someone has to sign off on it, somewhere. Sad but there are morons out there that want to save a buck..Bob

[Hosebeast]

All you can do is present the facts, not opinions, as you know them & it is best if you have some kind if documentation to back it up. After that it is the companies decision. If the company chooses to do it another way they can because the liability is all on them & they write the checks. If you are in charge of the project & they go against you then get it writing that you are not responsible if it fails in the future. It seems like an expensive job to do & probably a whole lot more expensive if it needs to be redone.

I agree there probably is some sort of weld procedure that should be followed. I have never come across something that involves chemicals & piping where a company just wings it.

That's exactly what I did, I pulled out my old apprentice books and showed them all the parameters that should be followed. They even called the engineer that designed it and he even told them what I explained to them. The other guy is pretty pissed about it but I guess he just has to suck it up.

[Hosebeast]

Wait until its all welded up and the company who bought it won't accept it or make someone cut it all apart and reweld it. I came from a refinery and sorta know how they do things. Someone has to sign off on it, somewhere. Sad but there are morons out there that want to save a buck..Bob

This is a fairly new bio diesel refinery and the company I work for has never really done anything like this. So I guess it's a good learning experience for them.

[ryanjones2150]

Maybe how you're delivering your message is creating some of your road blocks. I get that you're not brand new to the "rodeo", but you're also not an old salty dog. Experience doesn't necessarily make you a master craftsman, but it often times sways folks that don't know better.

[Hosebeast]

Maybe how you're delivering your message is creating some of your road blocks. I get that you're not brand new to the "rodeo", but you're also not an old salty dog. Experience doesn't necessarily make you a master craftsman, but it often times sways folks that don't know better.

This is true, I tried to be not so condescending towards these folks. But when people try to cut corners it does bother me a little bit.

I will admit my own mistakes though and the other gentleman did have some good points brought up. So I do owe the guy an apology for being a young mouthy f***.

[ryanjones2150]

That's a great attitude. Rare amongst the next generation in the workforce these days.