A Data-Driven Approach to Sustaining and Improving Your Mechanical Integrity Program
Automated Radiographic Testing: High-Speed Corrosion Mapping Using Robotic Crawlers
Damage Control: Sulfidation and High-Temperature H2/H2S Corrosion Mitigation
Damage Management Locations (DMLs) – Connecting Inspection Data with Asset Lifecycle Management
FFS Forum: The New API 579 Part 15, Piping Vibration – Interview with Lyle Breaux, Team Lead
Leveraging RBI and Corrosion Management Programs
MI Capability and Competency Development
The Ten Foundational Management Systems Needed to Achieve FEMI Operational Excellence
Advanced Microwave Inspection: Evolution of the Method
API 579 FFS Assessments of Storage Tanks with Uneven Support
ASME PCC-1: The Change from a Bolting Guideline to a Bolting Standard
Damage Control: Sulfidation and High-Temperature H2/H2S Corrosion Assessment
FFS Forum: Old Vessels vs New NDE
Lack of Fusion on Socket Weld Joints – A Case Study
The Three Types of FEMI Decision-Makers - Which One Are You?
Damage Control: Sulfidation and High-Temperature H2/H2S Corrosion Detection
FCCU Reliability Challenges Now and in the Future
FFS Forum: Local Thin Areas (LTAs) - How Bad is Too Bad?
Good Data/Bad Data for FFS Assessments
Quantifying the Value of Your Inspections
The Emergence and Development of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing Techniques
Worst-to-First in FEMI Performance – How One Site is Making it Happen
Damage Control: High-Temperature Creep Mitigation
Data Validation: Are We Data-Rich, but Information-Poor?
FFS Forum: The Master Curve Approach to Estimating Fracture Toughness
Innovations in Data Analytics: Lessons from the World of Sports
Maximize the Value of RBI Program Implementation
Understanding Microbial Corrosion – Part 2: Microbial Corrosion Mitigation
An Inspection Planning Process for Equipment Susceptible to Sulfide Stress Cracking
Damage Control: High-Temperature Creep Assessment
Development of a New Assessment Tool to Improve Asset Integrity Management
The Power of Image Analytics in Mitigating Corrosion
What Differentiates an Average Inspectioneer from a High-Performing One?
Comparing Conventional AUT and Phased Array AUT Corrosion Mapping
Damage Control: High-Temperature Creep Detection
FFS Forum: Remaining Strength Factors
Qualitative RBI – Simplified Screening Tool for Asset Management
Texas Storage Tank Owners: Are You Prepared for SB 900?
Understanding Microbial Corrosion - Part 1: Microbial Corrosion Damage
Using Data Science to Enhance Reliability: Four Real-World Applications
Article Index
This article features a discussion of three of the key elements to sustain and improve your mechanical integrity program successfully.
The latest developments in microwave inspection of complex composites are summarized, including principles of multi-frequency microwave inspection.
Tri-Lateral Phased Array is a novel robotic phased array ultrasonic testing technique for the on-stream inspection of fixed equipment in wet hydrogen sulfide (H2S) service. TriLat identifies and quantifies wet H2S damage in the base metal of...
General guidance to provide a foundation to complete a solid inspection plan for sulfide stress cracking (SSC) as a result of the wet hydrogen environments.
This article describes a storage tank built in a permafrost area and how FFS and FEA were used to address the challenges of foundation instability.
Bolted joints are very complex, with many variables. This is a look at how ASME PCC-1 changed from a guideline to a standard with no precedence in doing so.
The capabilities of automated radiographic testing (ART) make it the preferred method to manual techniques for detecting piping corrosion defects in the field.
Utilizing automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) for corrosion mapping to detect and quantify damage can play an important role in an effective MI program. This article compares two common off-the-shelf AUT technologies used for corrosion mapping.
Part 2 of this Damage Control series on high-temperature creep discusses engineering evaluation methods that can be used to predict the remaining creep life of components. Comparisons between the Larson-Miller Parameter and the MPC Omega are offered.
A focus on typical damage morphology and inspection methods used to identify and characterize high-temperature creep including examples of creep damage and in-service failures to offer insight into this complex damage mechanism.
Part 3 of this series provides pragmatic strategies for mitigating high-temperature creep damage in typical pressure component alloys.
This installment of Damage Control outlines the FFS methods available to analysts for evaluating wall loss such as sulfidation or high-temperature H2/H2S corrosion in pressure equipment
Comprehension of the sulfidation corrosion reaction and the behavior of different materials in H2-free and H2/H2S environments is imperative for oil refineries.
Part 3 of this series focuses on practical damage mitigation and life cycle management techniques to avoid failures and corrosion in refinery pressure equipment.
Introducing the concept of damage management locations, together with remaining life estimates from CML data, offers a complete view for inspection planning.
The focus of the 10th "Meeting of the Minds” roundtable discussion was on data validation and the importance of having consistent definitions of “good data.”
To improve their implemented AIMS program and streamline the process of assessment, Saudi Aramco has developed an in-house AIMS assessment tool referred to as the Integrity Management Assessment Tool (IMAT).
A look at common reliability issues to help give perspective on where issues may be waiting and how to handle them when they arise.
Local thin area (LTA) assessments rarely fail. It happens, but not often. Let’s look at examples of how significant an LTA can be and still pass an assessment.
Discussion on the new Annex 9J procedure with examples using the Part 3 exemption curve, the 9J General Procedure, and the 9J Simple Procedure.
A discussion on the rationale for being cautious with an inspection of older vessels and how to decide when such inspection is appropriate.
A closer look at the evolution of remaining strength factors (RSF) from its mention in early papers to the latest edition of API 579.
Ferritic materials change in toughness as a function of temperature, but the change is non-linear and happens at different temperatures for different materials.
The API 579 Committee has been steadily working for 10 years on a procedure to evaluate vibration in piping systems. That long work is about to pay off.
The wealth of knowledge that can be incorporated into internal standards makes them an ideal resource for internal training initiatives and allow organizations to maximize the return on their investment in the standards program.
Common pitfalls in gathering inspection data using a case study where additional data gathering resulted in a significant improvement in FFS results.
IIOT has revolutionized predictive management by introducing advanced technologies that can heighten the efficacy of corrosion management systems.
The convergence of IT and OT helps to streamline processes while providing access to the full picture of asset conditions, thereby enhancing risk mitigation, diagnostics, analytics, anomalies, and recommendations.
Can our industry learn a lesson from baseball's data-driven approach to move us into the next evolution of data analysis?
A look into how complications due to low diameter, geometry, procedure, and qualification of welders resulted in flaws that were overlooked.
It is important to know what damage mechanisms to look for and where to look for them. We will review the link between damage mechanism assignments and RBI.
The author highlights the importance of logical planning, proper management, and continuous management support to ensure a successful and valuable RBI program.
Inspectioneering and Pinnacle co-hosted the 11th “Meeting of the Minds” roundtable discussion focused on organization capability and competency development.
Inadequate consideration of corrosion and material degradation of many older facilities has complicated the implementation of modern-day RBI programs. This article presents a case study of a heat exchanger with such a design.
Explore how more advanced modeling addresses the challenges of quantifying uncertainty and probability of failure to drive valuable inspections.
Texas legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 900 (SB 900) which goes into effect in September 2023. It mandates that ASTs with a capacity of over 21,000 gallons must protect the ground and surface water. How prepared are you?
A look back to when phased array systems were first developed in the 1960s and how the uses and technology have evolved throughout the decades to present day.
This article discusses two use cases of how advanced visual data capture and image analytics can be used across multiple industries to drive better reliability decisions.
This article summarizes, at a high level, what the sites have been able to accomplish by implementing what the author believes are FEMI's best practices.
From 2010-2020, more than 30% of the pipelines involved in spilled incidents had at least one ILI that collected data at the point of the accident. In September 2021, the third edition of API Std 1163 was published. What is new? What is important?
A look at the three types of fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) decision-makers you can encounter, along with the differences in the effectiveness of each.
An assessment of the vibration behavior observed and recorded on a pre-flash column overhead piping system and the strategic methodologies used based on a proactive troubleshooting technique.
The specialized predictive techniques used in assessing the vibration behavior observed and recorded on a pre-flash column overhead piping system.
Worldwide, microbial-induced corrosion and biofouling are a challenge to the oil and gas industry. Part 1 of this series reviews simple methods for identifying post-construction MIC damage, biofouling, and mitigation and the microbes that cause it.
This article concludes the series on microbial-induced corrosion by demonstrating the importance of microbe mitigation through two case studies.
Undocumented pressure vessels without an ASME stamp or National Board registration are commonplace. Their potential risk and value are often poorly understood.
While data science has the power to revolutionize the reliability industry, it will only do so with strong guidance from SMEs. This combination enables facilities to develop solutions to challenges based on each method’s unique strengths.
Are you an Inspectioneer? Are you a high-performing Inspectioneer? See where you fit on the performance bell curve and compare the different attributes that comprise a high performer with how you carry out your duties.
Traditional, paper-based inspection processes can prevent plants from being as effective as they can be. By digitalizing your mechanical integrity process and data with MISTRAS Digital®, plants have realized up to 75% gains in IDMS data entry and...
A review of the plan one site put in place to upgrade their performance from the fourth quartile to the first quartile and keep it there.
TEAM’s integrated touch point corrosion program manages all aspects of the integrity process from screening for damage to permanent repair assuring integrity – every time. TEAM’s unique turn-key approach to touch point corrosion integrity...