mp08
Chemical
- Aug 4, 2014
- 21
I'm a chemical engineer at a small and fairly new plant (Opened in 2007). One of my first tasks is to work on the Mechanical Integrity program here as there really isn't any here (no formal inspections done on piping/tanks/vessels, etc just walkby). I came from a larger plant that had these inspections so I have some background information.
I have two questions:
1. At my old company, we used to do Fitness for Service and calculations to see how long the equipment had, but that plant was very old (1970s). I was thinking that the plant I am currently working at should also have this as part of their inspection, since they have had equipment failure over the last year or two, but due more to chloride cracking from the water. The materials here aren't corrosive. Is there a certain time after the plant has been operating at that the inspections/calcualtions should be done (don't worry until plant is at least 10 years old) or is it a good idea to start it now or should I wait until we have the other QA inspection programs in place first?
2. Since we're working on what engineering practices we are following, I've looked through API and ASME standards to get a list together of which ones should be purchased for the company. Are there any specific ones out there recommended? Here's what I have so far (note: all the equipment here are ASME Section 8 Div 1 rated vessels):
API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection
API 570 Piping Inspection
RP 572 Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels
RP 574 Inspection Practices for Piping System
RP 575 Inspection of Atmospheric and Low Pressure Storage Tanks
RP 576 Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices
RP 577 Welding Processes, Inspection and Metallurgy
RP 578 Material Verification Program for New and Existing Alloy Piping Systems
STD 579-1 Fitness for Service
RP 580 Risk-Based Inspection
STD 653 Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
STD 520 Part 1 Sizing and Selection of Pressure Relief Devices
STD 520 Part 2 Installation of Pressure Relieveing Devices
STD 521 Guide for Pressure-Relieving and Depressuring Systems
ASME B31.3 Process Piping
I have two questions:
1. At my old company, we used to do Fitness for Service and calculations to see how long the equipment had, but that plant was very old (1970s). I was thinking that the plant I am currently working at should also have this as part of their inspection, since they have had equipment failure over the last year or two, but due more to chloride cracking from the water. The materials here aren't corrosive. Is there a certain time after the plant has been operating at that the inspections/calcualtions should be done (don't worry until plant is at least 10 years old) or is it a good idea to start it now or should I wait until we have the other QA inspection programs in place first?
2. Since we're working on what engineering practices we are following, I've looked through API and ASME standards to get a list together of which ones should be purchased for the company. Are there any specific ones out there recommended? Here's what I have so far (note: all the equipment here are ASME Section 8 Div 1 rated vessels):
API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection
API 570 Piping Inspection
RP 572 Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels
RP 574 Inspection Practices for Piping System
RP 575 Inspection of Atmospheric and Low Pressure Storage Tanks
RP 576 Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices
RP 577 Welding Processes, Inspection and Metallurgy
RP 578 Material Verification Program for New and Existing Alloy Piping Systems
STD 579-1 Fitness for Service
RP 580 Risk-Based Inspection
STD 653 Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
STD 520 Part 1 Sizing and Selection of Pressure Relief Devices
STD 520 Part 2 Installation of Pressure Relieveing Devices
STD 521 Guide for Pressure-Relieving and Depressuring Systems
ASME B31.3 Process Piping