In-service inspection requirements for specific assets.

[AHMAD1978]

Good day for all,
Similar to API 570 that gives requirements for in-service inspection for piping systems and API 510 that gives the same for pressure vessel, Are there references that give in-service inspection requirements (Test type and frequency) for the following assets:

1- Air gravity conveyors (conveying Alumina, crushed bath).
2- Ducts.
3- Hoppers (crushed bath, Alumina, Coke, Aluminuim Floride)
4- Silos (Crushed bath, Alumina, Coke, Aluminuim Floride)

I appreciate if you share your experience regarding type of test required and frequency of test as well for mentioned assets.

Note: I'm working in an Aluminium smelter.

Thank you.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Except for the coke (and maybe the aluminum fluoride, I don't know), none of that stuff is particularly dangerous, so if you're using On Condition Maintenance, it would be logical to just wait for a dust cloud or accumulation to appear, and then fix what's broken.

If you're committed to Scheduled/Predictive Maintenance, the best source for timing information is your accumulated maintenance records, e.g. elbow 110 in pipe A23 gets perforated in 13 months or so, etc.

An occasional walk- through should reveal anything needing paint, or unusual noises or vibrations. Maybe a little "If you see something, say something" training of whatever staff are there on a daily basis could pay dividends.

I'm conflicted about offering a bounty, fixed or based on projected cost savings, for reportage of maintenance issues, because it may induce competition and associated side effects good and bad. Better, I think, to assert that safety and avoidance of unscheduled outages are part of everyone's job.

Speaking of which, how often do you, personally, walk around outside just looking at stuff? Start.

I'm not aware of anything similar to the API standards for machinery moving what amounts to dirt, but I have little experience in bulk material handling, so I wouldn't necessarily be aware of such.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA