Assessment of inspection findings using API 579

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Assessment of inspection findings

Lets try something harder..using API 579 Given the following; P = 300 psi D = 100 S = 18,000 psi E = 1.0 Original thickness = 1.25 Minimum required thickness;
t PR 300 50 0.828 " SE 0.4 P (18000 1) (0.4 300 )

c
s

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Assessment of inspection findings

Lets try something harder..using API 579 Inspection established the following; Localized thinning area with a longitudinal length (s) 4 & circumferential length (c) 3.7 Lowest reading within area = 0.5 Corrosion rate = 0.025 per year

c
s

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Assessment of inspection findings

Lets try something harder..using API 579

Question : Can the vessel be safely operated if the next scheduled inspection is in 5 years time?
s

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Assessment of inspection findings

Step 1 Find out required radius - Rc

FCA = = = = Future corrosion allowance Corrosion rate x time until next shutdown 0.025 inch/year x 5 years 0.125 inch

Rc

= R + FCA = (100 x ) + 0.125 inch = 50.125 inches

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Assessment of inspection findings

Step 2 Find out minimum required thickness to withstand load in circumferential direction

c m in

PRc 300 50 .125 0.844 " SE 0.6 P (18000 1) (0.6 300 )

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Assessment of inspection findings

Step 3 Find out minimum required thickness to withstand load in longitudinal direction

L m in

PRc 300 50 .125 0.416 " SE 0.4 P (18000 1) (0.4 300 )

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Assessment of inspection findings

Step 4 Find out tmin

L c t min larger of t min and t min 0.844 "

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Assessment of inspection findings

Step 5 Determine the parameter Rt

tmm = the minimum thickness measured at the thinned area = 0.5 inch

t mm FCA 0.5 0.125 Rt 0.443 t m in 0.844

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Step 6 Determine the parameter

s = defect longitudinal length = 4 inch

1.285s 1.285 4 0.559 Dtmin 100 0.844

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Assessment of inspection findings

Step 7 Refer to figure 5.6 to determine longitudinal acceptance

From this curve, the minimum value of Rt required is about 0.38, which is smaller than the calculated value of 0.443 PASS

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Assessment of inspection findings

Step 8 Determine c/D

c = defect circumferential length = 3.7 inch

c 3.7 0.037 D 100

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Step 9 Refer to figure 5.7 to determine circumferential acceptance

From this curve, the minimum value of Rt required is about 0.2, which is smaller than the calculated value of 0.443 PASS

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Assessment of inspection findings

Conclusion..

The vessel can be safely operated until the next scheduled inspection in 5 years time
c
s

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Lessons learned..

This is merely a Level 1 Fitness For Service Assessment the simplest of all assessments by API 579 Level 2 & Level 3 assessments can get more complicated
s

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