Gouging an internal welded baffle

[RBMECH123]

I have an issue I have never came across before and need someone's help. I relatively new to the industry and have no experience with welding.

I am looking for weld symbols and Code requirements for gouging an internal, welded baffle from a 304SS/CS cladded vessel. If anyone can educate or give me direction, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,
Richard

 

[metengr]

Richard;
First off, I would suggest you grind the baffle off at the attachment weld versus gouging. Second, are you looking to re-weld a new baffle or simply eliminate it?

If you intend to eliminate it, I would perform a liquid penetrant inspection of the region where you removed the baffle to assure you have no defects and re-deposit the cladding at the location where you ground off the baffle attachment weld, and perform a final liquid penetrant inspection.

 

[unclesyd]

Adding to the above advice I would leave a nub by cutting the baffle at the attaching weld. I have never seen a problem with leaving a small nub in any vessel.

A word of caution:
No matter how you remove the baffle you have to protect the mechanic doing the work. If grinding this can be with a simple dust mask with an adequate air flow through the vessel. If you decide to arc gouge you have a whole new ball game as you have to provide the operator with breathing air and essentially a full suit of leathers to protect from molten metal. There will have to be a large exhaust system. Make sure you operator can use the arc gouge properly, you don't need a blaster.

Here I go getting in trouble. If mechanical removal isn't feasible I would use a TIG torch to wash the baffle off instead of arc gouging. This is a lot neater and no flying molten metal.