Overview of Dead Legs
Dead Legs are areas of a piping system that rarely see flow, yet are still exposed to process, even if not explicitly cut off. In an effective asset integrity management program dead legs should be monitored closely because they are especially prone to contamination and corrosion.
Dead legs are often lines closed by welded caps, flanges, or other fittings. Though they can also take the form of blanked branches, lines with normally closed block valves, lines with one end blanked, pressurized dummy support legs, stagnant control valve bypass piping, spare pump piping, level bridles, relief valve inlet and outlet header piping, pump trim bypass lines, high-point vents, sample points, drains, bleeders, and instrument connections.
It is important to have established protocols for identifying and monitoring all dead legs in a facility. Dead legs should be removed from a system when possible, or at least isolated and drained regularly. Doing so should should lead to improvements in performance. If removing deadlegs isn’t possible, then measures should be taken to continuously monitor them for corrosion and other damage.
Is this definition incomplete? You can help by contributing to it.
Share this Topic
-
November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mohamed Amer at TUV Rheinland
This article describes a high-level dead leg integrity management program overview and is based on experience, knowledge, and adaptation of inspection management philosophies currently being implemented within the Oil & Gas and the petrochemical...
-
Published on January 7, 2009As temperatures continue to drop, it's important for process plants to be prepared for the unique safety challenges of subfreezing weather, according to U.S. Chemical Safety Board Chairman John Bresland.
-
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...
Inspectioneering Journal
Explore over 20 years of articles written by our team of subject matter experts.
Company Directory
Find relevant products, services, and technologies.
Talent Solutions
Discover job opportunities that match your skillset.
Case Studies
Learn from the experience of others in the industry.
Event Calendar
Find upcoming conferences, training sessions, online events, and more.
Industry News
Stay up-to-date with the latest inspection and asset integrity management news.
Blog
Read short articles and insights authored by industry experts.
Acronyms
Commonly used asset integrity management and inspection acronyms.
Downloads
Downloadable eBooks, Asset Intelligence Reports, checklists, white papers, and more.
Videos
Watch educational and informative videos directly related to your profession.