A Smart Approach to Inspecting Fired Heater and Boiler Coils
Acoustic Emission Testing for Corrosion Monitoring and Deferral of Storage Tank Turnarounds
Effective Reliability and Safety Management of Steam Reformer Tubes
FFS Forum: Field Metallographic Replication (FMR) - When it helps, and when it doesn’t
FRP Corrosion Barrier Inspection: Non-Destructive and Non-Intrusive Technique
Leading Edge Inspection Data Practices — Acquire It Faster, Manage It Better, and Improve Its Use
Practical HTHA Experience and Time-Based Nelson Curves for Improved Equipment Life Management
The Inspection Paradox: Adding Value Through Quality Control
Understanding Hard to Interpret Field Hardness Values for Common Pressure Vessel and Piping Steels
Don’t Forget About Your Spring Supports
Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on Mechanical Integrity
FFS Forum: Fatigue Mitigation Strategies
Plan for the “What-Ifs” – A Tubular Example
Potholes on the Road to IOW Implementation
A Quest for Defect-Free Plant Operation - Part 3
An Effective Structural Integrity Program as Part of a Comprehensive Mechanical Integrity Program
CUI Robotics: Pushing the Envelope
FFS Forum: Thickness Grids & Critical Thickness Profiles
How Inferior UT Procedures and Practices on Pressure Vessels Cost $1 Million in Turnaround Repairs
Lessons from a Risk-Based Career
Maximizing the P-F Interval with Predictive Maintenance
The Current and Future State of Industry Training
The Eight Pillars of Excellent FEMI Programs
Automating and Optimizing the CML / TML Data Collection Process
Extended RBI for Exchanger Bundles
FFS Forum: What is a Major Structural Discontinuity?
Piping Leaks and Failures Can Be Substantially Eliminated – Here’s How
The Evolution of Robotics in Inspections
The Inspection of Mechanical Insulation Systems: More Important Today than Ever Before
The Significance of Piping Color Codes
The Value of a Baseline Inspection on New Fired Heater Tubes
A Framework for Conducting Analysis of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion Failures
An Inspired Approach to Storage Tank Inspection Practices
Bridging Acoustic Emission Testing and Ultrasonics for FRP
Corrosion Damage Mechanisms Review and Inspection Guidelines For Gasification Units
Qualitative Risk Assessment of a Commercial Refrigeration System
Tales of Storage Tank Failures, Damage and Inspections of Storage Tanks
The Importance of Turnaround, Shutdown, and Outage Assessments
The Real Expense and Liability of a Dated Engineering Standards Program
Corrosion Under Insulation and Touch Point Corrosion - There Are No Silver Bullets
Corrosion Under Insulation of Chemical Plant Pressure Vessels
FFS Forum: Creep in Heater Tubes and Other Components – Part I: Understanding Creep
Getting the Most out of Your Corrosion Control Documents
Inspect Your Primary Process Small Bore Piping the Right Way, Using Profile Radiography
Managing Reliability of Ethane Crackers using DMR, RBI, and IOWs
Article Index
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard B. Eckert at DNV GL, and Dr. Susmitha Purnima Kotu at DNV GLA significant number of pipeline failures due to external or internal corrosion have resulted from MIC, some with catastrophic consequences. This article demonstrates a three-step failure analysis process used to investigate the failure mechanism.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalThis article wraps up the three part series by combining management systems to work towards the ultimate goal of achieving a defect-free operation in process plants.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tim Haugen at Quest IntegrityUniversally, smart or intelligent pigging is now a standard practice for the inspection of fired heater and serpentine boiler coils. Understanding this technology can greatly assist with maintenance planning and the prevention of unexpected failures.
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Achieving an Integrated Asset Management System (IAMS) - A Management Framework from a Utility Company's Perspective
May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Yousuf Hasani at Continental Marine Energy, Mohammad Asif at Continental Marine Energy, M.H. Botaj at Continental Marine Energy, and M.S. Usman at Continental Marine EnergyEffective asset management has become no less than a strategic requirement for asset intensive organizations. By integrating available standards such as ISO 9001 and PAS 55, companies can develop a sound asset management strategy.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Muhammed Al-Lutfallah at Saudi Aramco, and Tamim O. Felemban at Saudi AramcoThis article reviews the effectiveness of AET for inspecting tank bottoms in two ways; namely, benchmarking regulations in different countries and comparing AET and MFLT results through a case study.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joel Andreani at The Equity Engineering GroupMuch like the equipment and piping they support, structures should be part of a comparable structural integrity (SI) program. This article will examine key components of a comprehensive SI program as an essential companion to an MI program.
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Elizabeth Brueckner at G.K. Hills Consulting Ltd.Tank inspection to achieve regulatory compliance has often been viewed as just another expense. This article takes the opposite view by utilizing regulatory compliance as a means for enhancing overall efficiency, awareness, safety, and profitability.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Michael Nugent at AEIS, LLC, Steve Strachan at Sensor Networks Inc., and Art Leach at Sensor Networks Inc.Thickness readings are critical for today's inspectors to accurately judge the state of their equipment. Recent advancements in sensors, software, and data management tools have made this easier, safer, and more efficient than ever before.
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Geoff Clarkson at UTComp, Inc.This article is written to provide a brief case study of an acoustic emission test of an FRP storage tank. A method combining acoustic emission with ultrasonics is proposed to ensure reliable long term operation.
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Daniel Golub at Hippo CMMSComputerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) platforms are a great way to structure, standardize, and streamline maintenance management. But how can you make sure you get a CMMS that effectively delivers on exactly what you need?
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rashed Alhajri at Saudi Aramco, Hatim Alhamdan at Saudi Aramco, and Fahad Alhindas at Saudi AramcoGasification technology has emerged in oil and gas due to the high combustion energy of Syngas and less environmental concerns than flue gas. This article discusses proper inspection and corrosion monitoring techniques for gasification units.
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Nick Schmoyer at InspectioneeringInspectioneering and PinnacleART recently hosted a roundtable discussion for a select group of mechanical integrity experts to discuss strategies for managing corrosion under insulation and corrosion under pipe supports, a.k.a. touch point corrosion.
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Andres Salazar at WorleyParsonsThis article details an experience assessing the mechanical integrity of a feed pressure vessel, and describes the methodology carried out for detecting CUI and how results were managed for this pressure vessel.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Timothy Black at Quasset, Maurice Fransen at Shell Global Solutions International BV, and Sieger Terpstra at Shell Global Solutions International BVThis article examines multiple trials that entailed testing robotic systems on different non-magnetic surfaces to identify the feasibility of detecting CUI using robotics in combination with NDE technology.
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ashfaq AnwerThe health of piping and piping supports is critical to processing facilities, however there are very few facilities where a documented inspection program exists for spring supports. This article outlines some issues surrounding spring supports
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Baher Elsheikh at SAFCOThis article presents a comprehensive integrity management program for catalyst tubes, including elements on monitoring, inspection, data analysis, remaining life assessment, and control of human factors.
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jeremiah Wooten at Inspectioneering, LLC.Inspectioneering and PinnacleART co-hosted their 5th Meeting of the Minds roundtable last November in Atlanta. This meeting’s focus was on notable technologies and how they are changing the MI landscape.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ricardo Gonzalez at Total Refining and PetrochemicalsThe author discusses a method being used in most of their refineries and petrochemical facilities that allows them to optimize the scope of NDT during turnarounds, while improving the reliability of bundles.
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.This is the first of a two-part column on “Creep”. It presents an engineering overview of the phenomena, answers the question: “What is Creep?”, and provides readers with foundational knowledge for evaluating and managing remaining equipment...
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FFS Forum: Creep in Heater Tubes and Other Components – Part II: Strategies for Evaluating & Managing Remaining Life
July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
This is the second of a two-part column on “Creep.” This second part discusses the approach to creep assessment in plant equipment.
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
There are many sources and occurrences of metal fatigue in the chemical and refining industries. They range from low-cycle thermal stresses in an FCCU, to the relentless pressure cycling of a PSA, to the ultra-high cycles of a rotating pump.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.FMR is a useful tool in many situations. It allows nondestructive evaluation of the surface microstructure that is entirely adequate in many cases. However, it is not a panacea, and there are many conditions where it is inadequate.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
A cornerstone of Level 1 and 2 metal loss assessment methods in API 579 is the concept of measuring thickness on a grid and constructing a “critical thickness profile.” These concepts are fundamental to Level 1 & 2 assessments in both Parts 4...
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.MSDs are an important, but often misunderstood, element of FFS analyses. This column will help readers understand what an MSD is and why it is so important to Fitness-For-Service analysis under API 579.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Geoff Clarkson at UTComp, Inc.This article describes the construction of corrosion-resistant fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), commonly used for pressure vessels and piping in the chemical processing industry, and the practices used for inspecting corrosion-resistant barriers.
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jarrod White at PinnacleART, and Kate Williamson at PinnacleARTCCDs are critical components of a well-maintained MI program and encompass all necessary and relevant MI information for a given process unit. This article defines the value of having CCDs and addresses how to effectively develop and implement them.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dave Holthaus at Comprehensive Procedure Reviews, LLC (CPR), and Kevin Gaskin at CHS, Inc.This article helps shine light on some common industry problems that can occur by having inferior UT procedures and practices, while providing several lessons learned through a case study that resulted in nearly $1 million in turnaround repairs.
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How Inferior UT Procedures and Practices on Pressure Vessels Cost $1 Million in Turnaround Repairs – Part 2
January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dave Holthaus at Comprehensive Procedure Reviews, LLC (CPR), and Kevin Gaskin at CHS, Inc.This case study discusses costly repairs that were needed on newly fabricated pressure vessels as a result of poor UT practices. The author shines a light on some industry problems that can be fixed with an understanding of what is actually required.
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ryan Baggett at Pro-Surve Technical ServicesWhile planning methods for thickness data acquisition in any Inspection Data Management Program, PRT should be considered as a cost-efficient, effective way to increase the value of your program for small bore piping or any other suitable situation.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ed Bryner at Gecko RoboticsThere are tools available that can achieve nearly 100% corrosion monitoring coverage. The use of robotics and ultrasonic inspection methods such as rapid ultrasonic gridding have shown to be highly effective in acquiring these data points.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Brent Ray at Marathon Petroleum CorporationI have been involved with risk-based inspection and risk-based work process development for much of my career. The one thing I have learned as I’ve walked this path is that the concept of ‘risk’ extends far beyond our industry.
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Vibha Zaman, P.E. at Asset Optimization Consultants, and Leomar Penuela at Asset Optimization ConsultantsA well-implemented and managed reliability program incorporating RBI, DMR, and IOWs can identify potential damage mechanisms, optimize maintenance and inspection activities, reduce risks, and improve the governance in managing Ethane Crackers.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bryan Christiansen at Limble CMMSThis article introduces the P-F Interval and its importance in predictive maintenance, describes methods to detect failures early, and maps out a path to begin an effective Predictive Maintenance program at one’s facility.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at IntertekEveryone wants fewer leaks and failure of their equipment and piping; but I find very few sites that effectively use one method to make substantial reductions in their piping leaks and failures.
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Zach Burnett at Pro-Surve Technical Services, LLCDecision trees can be used to help with decisions related to nearly any closed loop mechanical integrity or inspection workflow process. This article focuses on how decision trees can be applied to heat exchanger tubular inspection.
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Partner Content
InVista is a lightweight, hand-held ultrasonic in-line inspection tool (intelligent pig) capable of detecting pipeline wall loss and corrosion in unpiggable or difficult-to-inspect pipelines. The pipeline geometry inspection data captured by the...
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at IntertekThe purpose of this article is to describe some of the pitfalls that operating sites have encountered while trying to implement a program of IOWs in accordance with the guidance in API RP 584, plus how to overcome those pitfalls.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Gerrit Buchheim, P.E. at Becht, Dave Dewees, P.E. at Becht, Charles Becht V, P.E. at Becht, and Jeremy Staats, P.E. at BechtNelson curves, which are the foundation of the industry’s HTHA programs, can be tied to mechanistic models from several sources, allowing the recreation of Nelson curves for different operational histories and time durations.
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Robert Sladek at Asset Optimization Consultants, Inc.This case study is intended to demonstrate how a Qualitative Risk Assessment can be a cost-effective and resource-efficient means to prioritize equipment which is often “under the radar”.
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ana Benz at IRISNDTTanks are ubiquitous and essential in industrial societies. When they fail, the consequences can be dire if products/volumes they store are explosive and/or toxic.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalIn this article, Inspectioneering interviews Tye Beard at ASTM, a leading standards organization that develops and publishes consensus standards for the process industries, to discuss the current and future state of industry training.
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The Effect of High Pressure High Temperature and Sour Service Environment on Subsea Dissimilar Joints
January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Samer E. Ibrahim at Robert Gordon UniversityThe author will discuss the failure of a dissimilar joint while examining the root causes of the failure along with potential solutions and preventive actions that would not compromise the welding production rate.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Steven R. Bolinger at BechtA refinery or process facility FEMI program consists of eight Pillars that are fundamental to achieve FEMI excellence. This article describes these Pillars in detail and suggests what distinguishes good Pillars from those that are less than adequate.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ed Bryner at Gecko RoboticsThe refining and petrochemical industries will continue to benefit from the evolution of robotics and data management. The biggest hurdle will be to accept this evolution and embrace the new capabilities that come with it.
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Stephen J. Thomas at PK TechnologyMajor maintenance events require proper planning, scheduling, and execution to achieve a successful outcome. An outage assessment process can deliver an effort that is safe, on budget, on schedule, and ensures long term plant equipment reliability.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ron KingThere are inspection requirements in many construction disciplines, including electrical, welding, coating, and the list goes on, but not for mechanical insulation. The need for a certified mechanical insulation inspection program is long overdue.
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Partner ContentIntegrating a new digital technology that combines data-driven insights and data storage with innovative mobility can provide a new level of connected intelligence. Digitalization can improve workflow, increase worker productivity and allow better...
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joey Poret at Chevron ThailandEPC projects are complex initiatives with multiple stakeholder interfaces that can be difficult to manage. This article sheds some light on how quality activities add value to a project and when in the value-chain should these activities be executed.
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Partner ContentHow long does it take for you to receive reports after an inspection has been completed? A week? A month? Does the data come from multiple sources with no way of knowing if it has been manipulated? Traditional inspection contractors do not have...
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Partner Content
Our proprietary furnace tube inspection system, FTIS is an ultrasonic inspection technology capable of rapid, automated fired heater coil inspection in refinery fired heaters. The data captured by our furnace tube inspection system is...
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jeannie Lewis at The Equity Engineering GroupThis article provides a case study showing the real costs and effects of having a dated engineering standards program, as well as the financial benefits through increased reliability of having a thriving engineering standards program.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ashfaq AnwerIf an inspector knows both the content and material of construction of piping, it would be useful when performing inspection. However, this is only possible when there’s a system in place at the site for identifying piping.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tim Haugen at Quest IntegrityThis article presents two cases studies demonstrating how properly conducting baseline fired heater tube inspection aids in early discovery and correction of defects, avoiding unexpected in-service failures, and more.
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering JournalA damage mechanism review, or DMR, is a structured process performed by a qualified team to gain a better understanding of unit operations, corrosion loops, materials of construction, and potential damage types and locations.
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ahmad RK Rana at Integrity Products and Supplies, Inc., and Dr. Zoheir Farhat at Dalhousie UniversityThis article addresses two failure events where inadequate attention to thermal fatigue led to premature equipment failure while specifying guidelines to help prevent such failures that can be a part of a plant's inspection and maintenance programs.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ana Benz at IRISNDTField hardness tests can provide valuable information when evaluating piping and pressure vessel anomalies. This article summarizes laboratory examinations designed to gain a better understanding of UCI hardness test results taken in the field.
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Patrick Saracco at CyberhawkThis article discusses how drone data can impact asset integrity management (AIM) programs, the challenges associated with drone data management, and where the technology is heading.
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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ryan Myers at PinnacleART, and Sean Rosier at PinnacleARTToday's operators are implementing a myriad of Mechanical Integrity and Reliability programs to realize greater results from their facilities. However, for each of these programs to be effective, they must be fueled by quality and up-to-date data.
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Work Smarter, Not Harder: Cloud-Based Mobile Tablets Streamline Inspection Reporting and Asset Management Enterprise Systems
July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Stephen P. Webb, P.E. at MetegrityThis article demonstrates how substituting inspection reports that originate from pen and paper to reports generated using a stylus and tablet at the time and location of inspection can eliminate data entry errors and other common mistakes.
