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Inspection
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Inspection is the practice of examining the physical condition of materials, components, or entire pieces of equipment in order to determine if and for how long it will operate as intended. Inspection plays a vital role in any asset integrity management program. Inspection provides information about the current condition of the equipment in question and may provide information to validate the reliability prediction for the equipment (i.e. validate the accuracy of the equipment remaining life estimation).
Types of Inspection
Nondestructive Testing
Nondestructive testing (NDT) uses a variety of inspection techniques in order to locate and monitor defects without causing damage to the component. External and internal corrosion and cracks are often found using NDT methods. Some examples of common NDT methods include: radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing, electromagnetic testing, and many more. When selecting an NDT method to use for a piece of equipment, the following four considerations should be accounted for:
- The type of damage mechanism to be inspected for
- The size, shape, and orientation of the defect
- Where the defect is located (external or internal)
- The sensitivities and limitations of the NDT method
Destructive Testing (Mechanical Testing)
In contrast to NDT, destructive testing causes damage to the test specimen. The purpose of destructive testing, also known as mechanical testing, is to reveal material properties when external forces are applied dynamically or statically. Important material properties of interest include: tensile strength, elasticity, elongation, hardness, fracture toughness, fatigue, and resistance to impact. Common mechanical tests that provide information about those properties include tensile testing, compression testing, torque testing, bend testing, hardness testing, charpy impact testing, and shear testing.
Inspection for Reliability and Remaining Life
The purpose of performing inspection is to provide information on the current state of a piece of equipment or provide information for remaining life calculations. Risk-based inspection (RBI) and fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments are two standards used in the oil and gas and chemical processing industries.
Risk-Based Inspection
RBI is a process that uses a combined system of methods to identify and understand risk. Put simply, risk can be defined by two elements: the consequence of failure (CoF) and the probability of failure (PoF). The CoF considers and evaluates the consequences of various outcomes (e.g. health and safety, environmental damage, equipment damage, and economic loss). The PoF is the likelihood that a piece of equipment will fail at a given time. Furthermore, both the CoF and the PoF involve qualitative and quantitative assessments. The fundamental concept of RBI is “How much confidence do I need to have in what I believe to be the true damage state of the equipment [1]?” RBI can be used to reduce uncertainty about the damage state of a piece of equipment by prioritizing inspection-related techniques. This is usually done by means of NDT. Learn more about RBI.
Fitness-for-Service
FFS is a recommended practice and industry standard that evaluates in-service equipment for structural integrity. The purpose of FFS is to determine if a component is suitable for continued service. There are three levels of FFS assessments, each increasing in level of detail, analysis, and complexity. Typically, data from NDT and mechanical testing provide critical inspection information used for FFS assessments. The outcome of an FFS assessment, as it relates to inspection, is to establish inspection intervals for specific equipment in order to monitor and eliminate potential failures. Establishing inspection intervals improves the overall safety, reliability, and efficiency of aging equipment. Learn more about FFS.
Inspection for Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) are often confused as being the same process. However, the two processes are distinct.
Quality Assurance
The purpose of QA is to inspect the process that manufactures products. In other words, QA is a process that looks to improve the product development in order to eliminate defects in manufactured products. Inspection relating to QA does not typically involve NDT nor mechanical testing but rather, uses qualitative methods to identify gaps and anomalies in the process.
Quality Control
QC is carried out after QA and involves inspection of the product. The QC process involves activities such as NDT to ensure the quality of the product will operate as intended and for a specified number of cycles (if applicable) before failure. Mechanical testing may also be performed on one part per batch or per “X” number of batches. The number of batches is up to the company and individuals involved in the manufacturing process. The purpose of QC is to detect flaws and to determine if the defect is acceptable or rejectable for service.
Codes and Standards
Relating to NDT and Mechanical Testing
Since there are hundreds of standards relating to NDT and mechanical testing, it is best to list the organizations that develop and publish standards pertaining to inspection. The following standards bodies are well known in the inspection community:
- The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
- ASTM International
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- American Petroleum Institute (API)
- American Welding Society (AWS)
- National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI)
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
- European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
- European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)
Relating to RBI and FFS
- API RP 580 - Risk-Based Inspection, Third Edition
- API RP 581 - Risk-Based Inspection Technology, Third Edition
- ASME PCC-3 - Inspection Planning Using Risk-Based Methods
- API RP 579/ASME FFS-1 - Fitness for Service, Second Edition
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Articles about Inspection
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BlogMarch 1, 2021 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
This retrospective takes a quick look at two of the most popular topics that were covered in Inspectioneering Journal last year: the accuracy of thickness readings and corrosion under insulation.
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January/February 2021 Inspectioneering JournalBy Geoff Clarkson at UTComp, Inc.
Even with significant work to establish standards and codes for FRP vessel design, failures still occur, some of which could have been prevented or mitigated by following a systematic external inspection program.
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January/February 2021 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
If I suddenly accepted the position of site manager at your operating site, one of the first things I would do is trot on down to the FEMI group and ask questions to assess what we need to be doing to avoid the potential for big FEMI events.
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January/February 2021 Inspectioneering JournalBy Timothy L. Rush at MISTRAS Group Inc.
The purpose of baseline inspections is to provide cost savings upfront versus the cost incurred during operations. So, what are the possible heat exchange tubing defects or anomalies and how are they validated?
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January/February 2021 Inspectioneering JournalBy Phillip E. Prueter at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
Thermal fatigue, a specific form of fatigue driven by varying metal temperature gradients and ensuing differential thermal expansion, is generally most effectively mitigated by reducing the severity of metal temperature gradients.
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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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January/February 2021 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mike Sparago at The Equity Engineering Group, and Chris Massengale at The Equity Engineering Group
“Condition monitoring location (CML) optimization” is a frequently used term, particularly for piping circuits. Everyone wants their circuits to be “CML optimized,” but what does this truly mean?
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BlogFebruary 25, 2021 By Inspector Frank
When you are dealing with an inspection technique that is poorly understood and a company representative that is downright combative, you get a perfect storm that can quickly lead to that particular technique losing its credibility.
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January/February 2021 Inspectioneering JournalBy Peter Tait at Methanex
This article discusses the header specification, design, fabrication, and inspection processes to identify where opportunities were available to proactively address the vulnerabilities that resulted in the header rupture.
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September/October 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Charles Janecka at Olympus
Advances in charge-coupled device size, optics manufacturing, and point-matching algorithms can all be combined to create a new super wide field stereo measurement system. With measurable areas as much as 4x greater, larger measurements can be taken.
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September/October 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This article presents a methodology for calculating and understanding how many qualified API inspectors you need to staff in order to improve fixed equipment mechanical integrity and reliability at your operating site.
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Partner Content
LOTIS utilizes laser profilometry to conduct internal steam reformer tube inspections. The data captured by LOTIS is exceptionally powerful when combined with our LifeQuest™ remaining life assessment capabilities, providing an integrated...
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September/October 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
This article discusses some of the common roles of the RBI team and provides a glimpse of an RBI program gap assessment, while offering helpful advice for improvement.
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September/October 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Phillip E. Prueter at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
This article reflects the first in a series on damage mechanisms that will appear in this recurring Inspectioneering column entitled “Damage Control.” The inaugural topic discussed in this column is thermal fatigue.
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July/August 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jeremiah Wooten at Inspectioneering, LLC.
Inspectioneering and Pinnacle co-hosted their 6th bi-annual Meeting of the Minds roundtable discussion earlier this year. This meeting’s focus was on how Covid-19 and the decline in oil prices have affected MI programs across the industry.
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A Thousand Important Roles & Responsibilities of the Plant Fixed Equipment Inspection and Mechanical Integrity GroupJuly/August 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
In the author's experience, one of the largest gaps in plants is a lack of understanding of what the entire fixed equipment mechanical integrity group does. This article will shed light on the many roles and responsibilities within these groups.
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BlogJune 25, 2020 By Inspector Frank
Trying too hard to bring attention to the myriad concerns of a robust equipment integrity program can end up backfiring on you. You don’t want to be the “inspector who cried wolf” with no one listening when you actually have a problem.
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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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May/June 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mark Schramm at Pro-Surve Technical Services
This article demonstrates how the use of TFM/FMC can be an effective method to screen for potential problem flanges before a planned shut down and can be a very useful tool in planning which flanges require further evaluation.
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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joey Poret at Chevron Thailand
EPC 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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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Baher Elsheikh at SAFCO
This 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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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Muhammed Al-Lutfallah at Saudi Aramco, and Tamim O. Felemban at Saudi Aramco
This 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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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tim Haugen at Quest Integrity
Universally, 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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March/April 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ed Bryner at Gecko Robotics
There 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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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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BlogApril 3, 2020 By Frank-Uwe Hess at T.A. Cook Consultants
COVID-19 is disrupting all industries including asset management. Here are 6 recommendations to help you align your asset management according to new requirements and turn the challenges into opportunities.
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Zach Burnett at Pro-Surve Technical Services, LLC
Decision 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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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ashfaq Anwer
The 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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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
The 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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The Effect of High Pressure High Temperature and Sour Service Environment on Subsea Dissimilar JointsJanuary/February 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Samer E. Ibrahim at Robert Gordon University
The 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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BlogFebruary 27, 2020 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
The Journal was launched in 1995 with the core mission of helping the fixed equipment reliability community perform their jobs more effectively by arming them with information to better understand and apply available technologies and methodologies.
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BlogFebruary 27, 2020 By Inspector Frank
In a nutshell, Schwerpunkt means focusing your force in the area it will be the most effective. As a strategy, it means overall strategic intent has to be known and understood by everyone. All levels know their part in the plan.
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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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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Steven R. Bolinger at Becht
A 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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BlogDecember 26, 2019 By Inspector Frank
I once worked with a chief inspector who refused to hire anyone who had any National Board inspection certifications. “Why?”, you might ask. I had the same question, and his response was “Because anyone with National Board is gunning for my...
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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 BV
This 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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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ryan Myers at Pinnacle, and Sean Rosier at Pinnacle
Today'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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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Brent Ray at Marathon Petroleum Corporation
I 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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November/December 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joel Andreani at The Equity Engineering Group
Much 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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BlogDecember 9, 2019 By Calvin Jory at Olympus America
This article discusses two common challenges for inspectors taking thickness readings in high temperature environments and ways to overcome those challenges.
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BlogNovember 26, 2019 By Jared Hartness at GE Digital
This article presents seven considerations that should serve as a guideline for your next mechanical integrity or inspection software investment and help position you well as the Asset Performance Management software market continues to evolve.
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BlogOctober 31, 2019 By Inspector Frank
Critical things often get missed in facilities but are these things being owned and fixed? We get good at reactively solving problems as they appear, but are we proactively working towards examining and fixing the potential larger issues?
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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tim Haugen at Quest Integrity
This 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 Ricardo Gonzalez at Total Refining and Petrochemicals
The 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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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
A 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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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ron King
There 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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September/October 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Michael Nugent at LPI, Inc., 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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BlogOctober 17, 2019 By Pinnacle
Here is four-step process for developing effective and efficient piping management strategies that can help optimize costs, refocus resources, and reduce risk.
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BlogSeptember 12, 2019 By Olympus America
Here are 8 tips to help you overcome certain challenges encountered when taking thickness measurements at high temperatures.
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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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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 Stephen Thomas at PK Companies
Major 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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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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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ana Benz at IRISNDT
Tanks 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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BlogAugust 29, 2019 By Inspector Frank
Just because you have a technical expert does not mean they will be an expert at managing people. Like any skill set, it takes training, time, and mentoring to become a good personnel manager.
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BlogAugust 28, 2019 By Alexander Turner at Corrosion Monitoring Services (CMS)
High angle rope inspection can provide immediate inspection and minor repair opportunities, but it’s valuable for long-term planning as well.
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BlogJuly 23, 2019 By Ted Shields at Olympus America, and Michael W. Hull at Olympus America
In this latest guest blog, our friends at Olympus America share some of their most frequently fielded questions regarding X-Ray Flourescence (XRF) and some considerations for using XRF for Positive Material Identification (PMI).
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Nick Schmoyer at Inspectioneering
Inspectioneering 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 Patrick Saracco at Cyberhawk
This 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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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ryan Baggett at Pro-Surve Technical Services
While 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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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Andres Salazar at WorleyParsons
This 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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BlogJune 27, 2019 By Inspector Frank
This is the first article in a new column. In each article, the author will share technical, thought-provoking, and sometimes humorous or emotional experiences garnered in a career that spans over 20 years inside the gates of facilities.
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Assuring Pressure Part Manufacturing & Repair Quality - Has ticking the box become more important than the end product?March/April 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Andreas Fabricius at Tetra Engineering, James Malloy at Tetra Engineering, and Mark Taylor at Tetra Engineering
The quality of the thousands of factory and field welds present in pressure part modules is critical for assuring reliable operation over the life of a plant. Companies should be doing more than paying lip service to quality. Don't just tick a box.
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March/April 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy André Viaud at ANVIXED
In order to utilize data most effectively and realize the full power of AE testing, it is necessary to bring the capabilities of laboratory testing tools to industrial sites.
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March/April 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Stephen Thomas at PK Companies
Creating a proper work scope and developing and executing an effective work plan are essential for a successful turnaround. However, behind the scenes exists the glue that pulls the entire effort together: logistics.
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January/February 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This article provides a summary of the 2019 API Inspection & MI Summit keynote address, which offers a past, present, and future outlook on fixed equipment mechanical integrity from an industry professional with 50+ years of experience.
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January/February 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Philip Buchan at Cyberhawk
The use of drones for confined space inspection is proving to reduce safety risks and create efficiencies in both time and cost. These benefits have been realized particularly in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry in internal tank inspection.
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January/February 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Houssam Sabry at ADNOC LNG, and Asad Ali at ADNOC LNG
An effective RBI system implementation results in, not only safeguarding your assets & people, but can also reduce unnecessary inspection activities that may be required due to conventional & nonsystematic approaches.
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BlogJanuary 9, 2019 By John Reynolds at Intertek
The 2019 API Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit will be kicking off later this month in Galveston, TX. This four-day event will begin with 14 high level training courses offered Monday, January 28th, and then a top notch conference and...
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November/December 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Efrain Rios at Fortress Oil & Gas, LLC
This article describes how an international oil and gas company built an inspection data management program for its U.S. operations yielding improved confidence in decision-making information, cost savings through increased efficiency, and an...
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November/December 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Campo at Pinnacle
This article walks you through a three-step approach, while providing different scenarios, for identifying and proving the value of reliability improvement initiatives.
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November/December 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
In this edition of the FFS Forum, Greg addresses some issues associated with inspection of vessels that have been in service for a number of decades, and offers some tips for reliability and inspection to follow when inspecting these older vessels.
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September/October 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Michael Nugent at LPI, Inc., and Timothy Armitt at LINDT, UK
This article discusses the advances in NDE that have given owners increased confidence on how to assess equipment integrity in HTHA service providing risk prioritization of equipment as well as providing the ability to make more reliable...
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September/October 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Stephen P. Webb, P.E. at Metegrity
Whether implementing a comprehensive AIM strategy for the first time or looking for ways to create overlap between AIM activities and documents that historically have acted as information silos, consider utilizing CCDs. They serve as a useful...
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September/October 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ashfaq Anwer
The best approach for better inspection confidence and long term asset integrity is to conduct baseline inspections upon receipt of an asset. Baseline inspection can save millions by providing accurate baseline information for later comparisons and...
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September/October 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy James "Chezo" Cesarini, PE at Pro-Surve Technical Services, LLC
The most valuable unit of measure within a turnaround is not money, but time. Successful turnaround planners are now integrating the Detailed Inspection Planner (DIP) within their teams to increase the accuracy of planning and reduce the time...
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BlogOctober 29, 2018 By Efrain Rios at Fortress Oil & Gas, LLC
In the fifth and final blog of this 5-part series, readers will learn the key obstacles faced in an implementation project and what measures can be taken to help prevent and mitigate their impact.
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BlogSeptember 27, 2018 By Efrain Rios at Fortress Oil & Gas, LLC
In this article, the author discusses how standardizing IDMS usage can help integrity teams perform more efficiently and effectively.
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BlogSeptember 13, 2018 By Berg Engineering
Nondestructive testing (NDT) careers are on the rise in today’s economy. These fields are constantly advancing, and there is an ever-growing need for technicians, quality assurance specialists and inspectors as infrastructure in the United States...
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Studying for and passing a test does not necessarily equate to competence as a process or contract inspector for hire. This article explores what it takes to become a capable inspector in this ever-changing industry.
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
API 579-1 is a complex document covering several different types of equipment that may contain flaws or damage. Due to its complexity, this article condenses it into six things you need to know.
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Whether you are implementing an inspection strategy based on RBI or traditional methods, work should be completed according to a well-defined plan. What are you doing to assure that work is executed as prescribed and that results are reported and...
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy David McCann at Sentinel Integrity Solutions Inc.
As mentorship programs continue to fade across the oil & gas, chemical, petrochemical, and other process industries, this article discusses a few of the main causes as well as the importance for stopping this trend.
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Philip Buchan at Cyberhawk
The benefits and advantages of drone inspection over other methods have made this technology a viable solution in industry. As utilization of drone technology continues to grow and expand, it’s important to not only understand what they can do but...
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ibrahim Kodssi at Husky Energy
Software implementation, including RBI, comes with a lot of ad-hoc challenges and pitfalls. There are numerous options for RBI software currently available, and they may differ by design, purpose, function, scope and capabilities. This article...
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Understanding Inspection Data Management Systems, Part 3: Filling Functionality Gaps Through DevelopmentBlogAugust 23, 2018 By Efrain Rios at Fortress Oil & Gas, LLC
There are cases where selecting the best IDMS application for the company means that the end users will not immediately obtain all desired functionality. In some instances, users must forgo desirable features to satisfy more valuable requirements of...
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Geoff Clarkson at UTComp, Inc.
With no industry consensus documents in existence that provide guidance for determining FFS of FRP, this article provides a case study that illustrates how an existing European design standard on GRP tanks can be used to calculate expected changes...
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Chad Patschke, CPSA at Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions
According to API 570, facilities must have a mechanical integrity program in place for critical check valves. But what criteria determines whether or not a check valve is critical in your process? How should check valves be inspected and by whom?
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Nayef Alanazi at Saudi Aramco R&D Center, and Muthukumar Nagu at Saudi Aramco R&D Center
This article presents a case study from a Middle Eastern refinery that explores a heat exchanger that failed unexpectedly after five years in service. There are multiple initiators that can cause under deposit corrosion (UDC) in heat exchangers in...
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dhananjay H. Rawal at Systech Consultancy Services
This article details the experience an oil company had when using FEA to evaluate the implications of a damaged pipeline. Specifically, it presents an efficient method that combines analytical techniques with FEA to determine the pipeline’s...
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy James R. Widrig at Quest Integrity, and James Wilson at Quest Integrity
As assets age and production demands grow, it becomes increasingly critical to implement sustainable long-term AIM strategies and programs. This article dives into the elements that will help ensure the successful management of assets throughout...
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Developing a Fitness for Service Approach for Reduced Toughness Carbon Steel Piping, Flanges & FittingsMay/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ralph E. King P.E. at Stress Engineering Services Inc., John Norris, P.E. at Stress Engineering Services, Dr. Kannan Subramanian, Ph. D., P.E. at Stress Engineering Services Inc., and Daniel Ayewah, P.E. at Stress Engineering Services Inc.
There is concern in the industry over recent findings of reduced toughness fittings and flanges at risk of brittle fracture. This article provides an overview; possible contributors; measures taken to address; and a proposed FFS approach to address...
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dheeraj Narang at Haldor Topsoe India Pvt Ltd.
This article intends to use a top-down approach of describing RBI methodology and how it fits in a facility management system. The main idea of this article is to provide a comprehensive picture of RBI methodology in terms of basics, technology...
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Samer E. Ibrahim at Robert Gordon University
HTHA of hydrogen-containing equipment can be prevented with appropriate material selection and fabrication, appropriate welding procedures, regular inspection of equipment using proven, effective technologies and equipment operated by qualified...
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BlogJune 6, 2018 By Efrain Rios at Fortress Oil & Gas, LLC
In the industry today, there are numerous applications being used to manage asset integrity information, i.e. data and records associated with design, construction, corrosion, inspection, process chemistry, and degradation remediation. In the second...
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Vipin Nair at GE Compliance and Integrity Management, and Sarah Lukens at GE Digital
This article demonstrates how the use of APM software can help prevent unplanned downtime by quickly identifying potential hidden failures.
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rami Mattar at Amerapex Corporation
This article features a case study on the feasibility of a wall-sticking drone for effectively conducting ultrasonic testing and other NDT methods on equipment at elevated heights.
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Keith Lapeyrouse at Process Reliability Solutions
This article demonstrates the process of converting API RP 576, Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices, into a work process that is suitable for conversion into a job procedure. It also explores some lessons learned that will make the document...
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Cesar Espinoza at Pinnacle, and Sudhakar Mahajanam at Pinnacle
As RBI continues to proliferate across industry, there are still those that are reluctant to transition from a time-based to risk-based inspection approach - especially in the upstream oil & gas business. These 4 benefits might help to lessen the...
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This article is designed to help the reader better communicate their FEMI Mission, Vision, Core Values and Responsibilities to all stakeholders at their site.
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ibrahim Kodssi at Husky Energy, and Houssam Sabry at ADNOC LNG
Implementing RBI for process piping can be a very tedious and lengthy exercise, especially for major process plants with thousands of feet of interconnected piping. This article shares the experience of ADNOC LNG following a structured RBI approach...
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Addressing the Great Crew Change - A Recap of the Fall 2017 Meeting of the Minds Roundtable DiscussionMarch/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tyler Alvarado at Inspectioneering
Last November, Inspectioneering and PinnacleART hosted a roundtable discussion for a select group of leading mechanical integrity experts. This forum explored how the MI field will have to prepare for the impending loss of knowledge resulting from...
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BlogApril 16, 2018 By Efrain Rios at Fortress Oil & Gas, LLC
In the industry today, there are numerous applications being used to manage asset integrity information, i.e. data and records associated with design, construction, corrosion, inspection, process chemistry, and degradation remediation. As the first...
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January/February 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jonathan Martinez at PK Technology
Inspection data is vulnerable to flaws in collection and retention. For example, data might be inaccurate, duplicate, or incomplete due to procedural breakdowns. This article introduces Digital Data Management Systems (DDMS) as a response to these...
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January/February 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bruce A. Pellegrino at Sensor Networks, Inc., and Mark Feydo at Sensor Networks, Inc.
Over the past few years, network technologies have been developed to eliminate the need for long cables for UT thickness monitoring. Coupled with a software back-end, permanently-installed UT sensors have become much more competitive in the...
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Reynolds Wrap Up: API Publishes Helpful Guide on Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity (FEMI) StandardsBlogFebruary 27, 2018 By John Reynolds at Intertek
In 2017, a joint-initiative from API and AFPM released a helpful brochure that summarizes all the key API standards that deal with fixed equipment mechanical integrity. It describes the latest edition of 42 API standards addressing FEMI issues,...
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November/December 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Elizabeth Allen at DNV GL, and Michelle Havlock at DNV GL
This article explains the Statistically Active Corrosion Assessment, which is a tool for determining appropriate and realistic corrosion growth rates which can assist pipeline operators in optimizing the value of in-line inspection data.
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November/December 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal, and John Nyholt at John Nyholt Consulting, LLC
Thanks to the development of documents such as API RP 571 and API RP 586, as well as the emergence of qualification demonstration testing, we can align NDT techniques and inspection strategies better than ever. This article examines this progression...
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November/December 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Geoff Clarkson at UTComp, Inc.
This article, part two in a series, provides a case study of an inspection and evaluation of a Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) column using nondestructive ultrasound readings on the outer surface of the FRP.
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November/December 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Stephen Flory at Pinnacle
APM implementation is anything but a pain-free process. Blame tends to fall on vendors, but there are oftentimes activities that do not get completed that tend to have a larger effect on the success of implementation. This article addresses some of...
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Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) Meetings at the Fall 2017 API Standards MeetingBlogDecember 19, 2017 By John Reynolds at Intertek
Industry SME John Reynolds provides his bi-annual updates from the API Standards Meeting and discusses developments related to the 2019 API Inspection Summit, SCIMI codes, standards, and recommended practices, and the API Individual Certification...
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September/October 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Although commonly lumped together as a singular acronym, there are important distinctions between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC). This article defines and distinguishes the role of QA and, in particular, how source inspection...
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September/October 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Arun Sreeranganathan at Stress Engineering Services Inc., and John Norris, P.E. at Stress Engineering Services
Fired heaters are among the most critical equipment in refineries and chemical plants. This article provides an overview of what a fired heater tube mechanical integrity program should include.
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High Resolution Inspection Data and Advancements in Finite Element Analysis Make Level 3 FFS More AffordableSeptember/October 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tyron Kimble at Sonomatic
Due to its high-cost, Level 3 FFS is typically carried out after Levels 1 or 2 and only in extreme cases. However, advancements in inspection technology and improved use of inspection data have made Level 3 analysis more practical and affordable,...
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September/October 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Daniel Cypriano at Petrobras, and Henrique Ventura at Petrobras
Although value-drivers often differ between facilities, all can agree that effective asset management strategies should lead to better decision making. In this case study, the authors detail how process-based risk management strategies can make for...
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September/October 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Stephen P. Webb, P.E. at Metegrity
The challenges companies face when implementing an RBI program from scratch can make the practice seem daunting. To ensure that implementation is completed smoothly and the benefits of RBI are quickly realized, there are considerations that should...
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July/August 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mark Savage at Sentinel Integrity Solutions, Inc.
3 common repair scenarios include routine maintenance, scope repairs, and major discoveries. An inspector’s ability to properly manage each situation can mean the difference between mechanical integrity success and failure.
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July/August 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard B. Eckert at DNV GL, and Dr. Kathy Buckingham at DNV GL
Failure analysis of piping that has experienced corrosion damage provides operators with valuable information needed to prevent future failures. Effective processes and procedures are essential when investigating the cause of corrosion on pipelines...
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July/August 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Buddy Powers at Clock Spring Company, and Donald McNichol at Evisive, Inc.
Composite technology developed for pipeline repair can be a cost-effective method of improving safety while keeping maintenance costs down. However, composite materials present significant challenges to conventional NDT methods.
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July/August 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Are your key performance indicators actually driving improvement? Could they be more effective? In this actionable and concise article, John Reynolds is back again to discuss some KPIs you could be using to monitor your progress down the path to...
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May/June 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ryan Myers at Pinnacle, and Brian Marino at Pinnacle
Effective condition monitoring location selection is a key component of a best-in-class mechanical integrity program. Learn how moving beyond traditional qualitative approaches to optimized CML selection can reduce risk and maximize the value of...
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May/June 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
35 years ago, an inspection supervisor, some inspectors, and a project engineer could cover an entire refinery. So why are so many more mechanical integrity resources needed today?
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May/June 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Justin Nickel at PK Technologies
Are you giving CUF the attention it deserves? Learn the vital role fireproofing plays in maintaining the integrity and reliability of what it protects as well as what's needed for managing potential CUF issues.
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Online Article
The Valve World Americas Conference provides an opportunity for people from all sides of the flow control industry to come together to discuss experiences, share insights and work together to resolve common challenges. Sharing knowledge and...
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March/April 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Fernando Vicente at ABB, and Laza Krstin at ABB
Myths, challenges, and good practices related to process piping integrity management activities that help inspection and maintenance managers make the right decisions to develop cost-effective piping inspection plans without compromising the...
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Partner Content
In this interim report, Pinnacle analysts take data from the oil refining industry and dive into how that key sector is being affected by reliability today. Download your free copy!
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March/April 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Inspectioneering Founder & Chief Editor, Greg Alvarado, recently had the privilege to sit down with Clay White, Director of Mechanical Integrity for Phillips 66 (Downstream), to discuss the world of fixed equipment reliability in the refining and...
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March/April 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs) have a subset of operating variables that are important for degradation monitoring, but may not have direct operational controls. Per API RP 584 Integrity Operating Windows, these are known as IOW Informational...
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March/April 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ibrahim Kodssi at Husky Energy
Flare systems provide hydrocarbon facilities with safe and efficient discharge of relief and waste gases by controlled open flame burning. This article provides information on the selection, inspection, and maintenance of various types of flares.
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March/April 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rami Mattar at Amerapex Corporation
Application of drones in industrial inspections is not new, although it is still performed by only handful of companies. Market penetration of this technology in the industrial space has been relatively slow.
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January/February 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Abdelmounam Sherik at Saudi Aramco Research and Development Center, Mark Rosa, PE at Harvard Business School, and Abderrazak Traidia at Saudi Aramco Research and Development Center
This article summarizes a comprehensive survey conducted by the Research & Development Center (R&DC) of Saudi Aramco to understand top corrosion damage mechanisms experienced by its operating onshore surface facilities.
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January/February 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
In this article, the roles and responsibilities of the corrosion and materials SME will be outlined as I see them, fully recognizing that there is probably no one person out there with all the knowledge and skills suggested herein.
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A New Risk Assessment Tool for Determining the Likelihood of Chloride Promoted Stress Corrosion Cracking in Austenitic Stainless Steels
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January/February 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Israel D. Martinez at ORPIC
Evaluating remaining wall thickness of an asset is not enough to ensure its continued safe operation. Proactive strategies should be implemented to assess the entire environment affecting an asset’s condition, including the development of more...
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January/February 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Chuck Provost at Sentinel Integrity Solutions
Some facilities lead the industry with streamlined RBI/IOW programs, and some facilities are just implementing standard calendar-based programs. Both are still susceptible to inspection interval gaps.
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Partner Content
Download Pinnacle's Economics of Reliability Report - Refining to see how reliability is affecting profitability.
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November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Blake Stermer at Sentinel Integrity Solutions
As the industry strives to maintain PSM/OSHA compliance through owner/user mechanical integrity programs, inspection professionals should fully understand technical standards to generate an adequate repair recommendation or request further...
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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...
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November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joey Johnston at DronePro, LLC
In the first quarter of 2016, Texas-based DronePro LLC completed the first ever inside-the-derrick inspection of an offshore drilling rig utilizing a proprietary unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, with its associated technology and equipment.
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November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Human factors, inspection effectiveness, and RBI all play an important role in running an effective asset management program. This article discusses how each is applicable to inspecting equipment in processing facilities.
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November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Nolan L. Miller at SASOL North America
This article will go through the methodology of each process that could be used in determining the structural component for the required pipe wall thickness, but will focus on the use of Beam Flexural Stress calculations and Beam Deflection...
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My Pipes are Corroding! When Should I Repair? Getting the Answers You Need for Maintaining Pipeline IntegrityNovember/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Michael Turnquist at Quest Integrity Group
This article exhibits how modern inspection methodologies combined with innovative computational analysis practices demonstrate the value of conducting fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments on sectional piping.
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November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Marc McConnell, P.E. at Pro-Surve Technical Services, and Grady Hatton at Versa Integrity Group
The concept of reducing Condition Monitoring Locations (CMLs) is misguided, and the number and location of CMLs should be OPTIMIZED, not systematically reduced. CML allocation in piping requires a good process, otherwise, you can run into a lot of...
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September/October 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kimberley Hayes at Olympus
Detecting, quantifying, and sizing indications characterized as a “crack" in critical equipment have long been the global benchmark of asset integrity programs. Therefore, the increased precision that inspection programs obtain using advanced...
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September/October 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Risk-based inspection (RBI) programs and processes are front and center, both as a challenge to get it right, and as an integral tool and process to help us achieve success in risk management and equipment reliability. It has to be implemented,...
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September/October 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Did you ever wonder where you fit into the entire hierarchy of a fixed equipment asset integrity management (FE-AIM) program? Or who is responsible and accountable for what aspects of FE-AIM at your site? All the way from top management down to...
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September/October 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tim Haugen at Quest Integrity
Although all ultrasonic smart pigging providers claim the ability to detect wall thinning and tube deformations to some degree, the inspection surface coverage, resolution, minimum wall thickness detection and reporting capabilities may vary...
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BlogOctober 27, 2016 By John Reynolds at Intertek
I hope by now, everyone is aware that the next API Inspection Summit will be held again at the Galveston Convention Center from January 31– February 2, 2017.
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BlogOctober 27, 2016 By Hannah Boon at Inspectioneering, LLC
ASNT’s 2016 Annual Conference took place this week in Long Beach, CA and was a special event celebrating “75 years of Success in Creating a Safer World.” The event brought together over 2,000 technicians, researchers, and other professionals...
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BlogOctober 18, 2016 By Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital
Seasoned and knowledgeable inspectors are becoming harder and harder to keep. But using some of the industry documents in a smart way, inspectors with less experience can perform like an inspector with many more years of experience and even develop...
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July/August 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Grady Hatton at Versa Integrity Group, and Melissa Guerra at Chevron Products Company
Many plants inspect PRDs on preset intervals as recommended by inspection code API 510, and implement inspection practices such as API RP 576. Just seeking PRD compliance with codes and standards usually results in mediocre mechanical integrity and...
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July/August 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and D. Mukherjee at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
The structural integrity of components is controlled by material properties, the presence of flaws, and levels of applied stress. Several factors such as temperature, type of loading, toughness, corrosion resistance, micro-structural stability, cost...
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BlogJuly 15, 2016 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Anyone who knows me knows that Risk Based Inspection (RBI) and Risk Management are true passions of mine. I have dedicated much of my career to studying them, understanding their intricacies, and witnessing the benefits of their successful...
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BlogJuly 8, 2016 By Jeremiah Wooten at Inspectioneering, LLC., and Josh Means at Inspectioneering
Here are five common misconceptions about RBI that should not prevent you from gaining a more advanced understanding of the true state of your site's equipment. After all, the more we know, the better we can manage equipment integrity and make...
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Detection of Defects and Corrosion Under Pipe Supports and Inaccessible Areas Using EMAT Medium Range UT TechniquesMay/June 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Borja Lopez at Innerspec Technologies, Inc.
In the last few years, electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) has come to prominence for its ability to quickly scan exposed pipelines for corrosion, cracks, and other defects using medium-range guided waves and without the requirement for...
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May/June 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Douglas Marriott at Stress Engineering Services Inc., Shannon Read at Stress Engineering Services Inc., and Arun Sreeranganathan at Stress Engineering Services Inc.
Aging equipment, along with more aggressive service, makes it more important than ever to carry out fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments in support of run/repair/replace decisions. Testing material in the service-degraded condition enables...
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May/June 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Yury Sokolov at SVT Engineering Consultants
RBI and NII are designed to achieve significant cost savings and risk mitigation benefits over a piece of equipment’s lifetime in the long term.
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March/April 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek, and Mark Bell at Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions
We have seen many different inspection recommendation management systems. Most of them struggle to effectively manage all inspection recommendations. However, a few of them are excellent. What makes an effective system?
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March/April 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Tim Hill at Quest Integrity Group
Achieving fired heater reliability in conjunction with meeting performance standards can be a challenging feat. Performance is a measure of the degree to which the fired heater is in an operable condition at any given time.
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Laying Off “Safety”: Managing Knowledge Transfer Through the Downturn to Maintain Industry Best PracticesMarch/April 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Fletcher at North Highland Worldwide Consulting, and Josh Arceneaux at North Highland Worldwide Consulting
It is estimated that there have been more than 250,000 layoffs in the oil and gas industry since the price of oil began to drop precipitously in late 2014. With oil not expected to rebound significantly for at least the next year or so, we should be...
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March/April 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy André Lamarre at Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas
This article highlights the evolution of corrosion monitoring from conventional ultrasonic to ultrasonic phased array manual and automated solutions and their use for both general purposes and complex applications.
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March/April 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bruce A. Pellegrino at Sensor Networks, Inc., Dr. James N. Barshinger at Sensor Networks, Inc., and Michael Nugent at LPI, Inc.
While there are many methods for measuring equipment wall thickness, a predominant method used in the O&G and power generation industries is portable ultrasonic equipment. Ultrasonic testing is non-intrusive because it is applied to the outside of a...
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Online Article
Updated editions of both API 570 and API RP 580 were recently released by the American Petroleum Institute.
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January/February 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Barbara Lasseigne at Envoc
You probably already know that inspection apps for tablets and smart phones exist, and have notions of how these technologies can improve efficiencies in the field and beyond.
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January/February 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Grady Hatton at Versa Integrity Group, Donald Brou at Capitol Ultrasonics, and Joe Nichols at Valero Energy
When heading down the path of becoming an inspection professional, it’s helpful to understand the characteristics that truly make someone an outstanding inspector.
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January/February 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Melissa Ramkissoon at Petrotrin
In Part 1 of this 2-part series, published in the July/August 2015 issue of Inspectioneering Journal, I discussed corrosion control methods and some effective techniques for inspecting ASTs, and also identified several root causes of AST failures in...
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January/February 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Vipin Nair at GE Compliance and Integrity Management
Pipeline management remains fraught with safety risks for operators and the environment. Last year, the Ontario Energy Board determined that a $12 billion oil pipeline proposed by TransCanada Corp. would pose more risks than rewards for the province.
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January/February 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Jake Davies at Permasense Ltd.
Fixed equipment in a refinery can be susceptible to corrosion from the process side, necessitating an inspection strategy to understand the condition of that equipment. Online measurement of pipe and pressure vessel wall thickness is made possible...
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Reynold's Wrap Up: Highlights from the Subcommittee on Inspection Meeting at the Fall 2015 API Refining Standards MeetingBlogJanuary 4, 2016 By John Reynolds at Intertek
This article provides a summary of the Subcommittee on Inspection (SCI) discussions that occurred at the Fall 2015 API Refining Standards Meeting, including the Inspection Summit Planning Committee and the API ICP Task Group.
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BlogJanuary 4, 2016 By Jeremiah Wooten at Inspectioneering, LLC.
We at Inspectioneering would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our subscribers, followers, clients, and industry partners for a great 2015, and wish every member of the Inspectioneering community a happy and healthy 2016!
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High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA): Life Assessment Methods for Carbon Steel and Carbon 0.50% Mo MaterialsNovember/December 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ralph E. King P.E. at Stress Engineering Services Inc., and Brian Olson at Stress Engineering Services Inc.
To ensure the mechanical integrity and fitness-for-service (FFS) of equipment, facility managers, reliability engineers, and inspection technicians must understand the HTHA damage mechanism.
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November/December 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mike Brown at Sentinel Integrity Solutions
It is often best to rely on properly trained and experienced inspection service providers to determine the proper method for any inspection project. Thus, inspection companies can suggest utilizing the most effective and efficient inspection...
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November/December 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Borja Lopez at Innerspec Technologies, Inc.
While they is very efficient and popular, liquid couplants used for ultrasonic inspection have some inherent limitations and disadvantages. An alternative method to using liquid couplant is Dry-Coupled Ultrasonic Testing (DCUT).
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November/December 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Once upon a time in the land of Ooze, there were two processing plants that boiled oil to make fuels and various other valuable petrochemical products. On one side of the river, rests a site called Perfecto Process Plant, while just across the river...
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November/December 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy George L. Getz at The George Company
The following article on the art and science of cooling tower inspections is part one in a series. This first is a primer. We recommend that readers consider using this article to edit their engineering practices for cooling tower inspection...
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November/December 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kelley Jones at Pro-Inspect Inc.
In the previous articles, we have put all the Pre-Turnaround and actual Turnaround activities in place to get the job safely done. Now we need to find the API Inspectors and have them approved by the client as quickly as possible. I have indicated...
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September/October 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
This article addresses a debate mechanical integrity professionals in the O&G and Chemical Processing industries periodically have about how thickness data gathered during a thickness monitoring inspection (TMI) should be recorded.
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September/October 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Nick Harwood at Aetos Group, and Aaron Cook at Aetos Group
This article is intended to provide some helpful insights when it comes to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), and to hopefully put you on the path to safer and more cost-effective inspections utilizing UAS technologies.
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September/October 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paul J. Ramirez at NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The Quality Assurance Engineer (QAE) provides a safety net for mission-critical hardware. The variety and complexity of hardware, and the many dimensions of the QA inspection process, combine in such a manner that even the most experienced QAE may...
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September/October 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Shana Telesz at GE Measurement & Control
While computed tomography (CT) scans are common and well-known as a critical evaluation tool in the medical field, they are becoming increasingly important in industrial settings. Recent automation, speed, and accuracy developments are driving the...
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BlogOctober 21, 2015 By Nick Schmoyer at Inspectioneering
Toward the end of last year, Inspectioneering conducted a survey with the goal of answering the following question: "How many pressure vessels do facilities have compared to the number of inspectors responsible for them?" The answer to this question...
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July/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Robert Frater at Engineering & Inspection Services, LLC
Refinery, petrochemical, and storage tank operators are responsible for properly cleaning facility tanks on a periodic maintenance basis, typically in 20 to 30 year increments. This article provides a suggested “checklist” of inspection...
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July/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Rarely is there a new and unknown cause of a major Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity (FEMI) failure in the petrochemical and refining industry. This article briefly summarizes five major fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) failures from...
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July/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Melissa Ramkissoon at Petrotrin
Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) are essential to any successful oil and gas operation and must be properly managed to ensure operations function in a safe and reliable manner. In this 2-part series, I will identify some common failures related to...
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In-Place Pipe Support Load Testing & Hanger Surveys – Part of a Best in Class Fitness-for-Service ProgramJuly/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joe Frey, PE at Stress Engineering, Inc., Lange Kimball at Stress Engineering Services, and Britt Bettell at Stress Engineering Services
This article introduces portions of a “Best-In-Class” Fitness-for-Service (FFS) program that includes the performance of regular visual inspections of pipe supports and hangers, coupled with in-situ load testing of suspect supports. This...
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API 1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification Program – A Case for Why it Should be the Industry StandardJuly/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rikki Smith at Oilfield Jobs
Some hiring practices for new employees have been too lax for too long in the pipeline industry. Pipeline inspectors who have ever worked beside someone who was hired via the familiar “friends and family program,” recognize the need for more...
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May/June 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Amanda Nurse at BP, and Josh Havekost at BP
Assessing risk is an integral part of working at a refinery. Infrastructure supporting the miles of piping, process vessels, and the platforms and ladders used in daily unit operations are often taken for granted. The Civil Structures Management...
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Gains with Advanced Data Assessment in ILI: Leveraging pipeline data to eliminate risk, prioritize and schedule necessary repairsMay/June 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ian D. Smith, P.Eng. at Quest Integrity Group, and Michael McGee at Quest Integrity Group
For traditional in-line inspection (ILI) vendors, considering 21.4 miles of a piggable 4” diesel pipeline is typically not a big deal. However, significant threats like 3rd party damage and external corrosion seem to come with the territory in...
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May/June 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Barbara Lasseigne at Envoc
While performing visual inspections with a pen and notepad is the traditional way to record data, there are now more efficient ways to complete inspections out in the field. Investing in a mobile inspection application can be a great way to save...
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Combining High Resolution In-Line Geometry Tools and Finite Element Analysis to Improve Dent AssessmentsMay/June 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rhett Dotson, P.E. at Stress Engineering Services
Historically, regulations regarding dent severity have been governed by one of two metrics: dent depth or strain. In the case of the former, plain dents with a depth up to 6% of the nominal diameter are permitted in both gas and liquid pipelines....
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May/June 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy David A. Hunter at Neptune Research, Inc.
In recent years, the growing use of composite repair systems for the rehabilitation of piping systems in the refining and chemical industries has increased the need for associated technologies for their manufacturing, installation, and inspection....
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May/June 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Vibha Zaman, P.E. at Asset Optimization Consultants, and Peter Dsouza at LyondellBasell
Verifying pipeline integrity is particularly challenging due to the difficulty of pipeline access, as well as the limitations in available technology to perform subsea wall thickness inspections. These challenges require action rather than reaction.
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BlogJune 8, 2015 By John Reynolds at Intertek
There should be a policy in place and enforced by management at each operating site of not allowing equipment and repair recommendations to become overdue for inspection and handling. Such a practice goes a long way toward increasing the credibility...
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Walt Sanford at Pinnacle
Today, many managers are finding that they can address the reliability of all types of assets by combining RBI and Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) processes together into one comprehensive reliability management process.
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Andy Kates at Versa Integrity Group
Rope access allows for a wide variety of work to be performed at high elevations or other hard to reach areas without the use of scaffolding or heavy equipment. It has evolved from techniques used in rock climbing and caving to become an extremely...
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jeremy Wimberly at Sentinel Integrity Solutions
Refractory materials have significantly evolved during the past 15 years, testing technology is much more sophisticated, and the need for test technicians to be properly trained and experienced to use that technology is much more important than it...
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
The tubes of heat exchangers (HX), whether for a shell and tube bundle or an airfin, are typically subject to some form of nondestructive examination (NDE) to try and quantify the remaining wall thicknesses and corrosion rates to help a plant to...
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Matt Midas at GenesisSolutions
With the advancements in today’s technology and improvements to Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), if we deploy them properly and in line with best practices, it is possible to reach...
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Connie LaMorte at EWI, and Jon Jennings at EWI
Weld inspection using lasers is not new, but doing it 75 meters inside a pipe or streaming inspection data wirelessly is new. As laser technology has improved, more industries such as oil & gas are beginning to require laser inspection as part of...
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Nick Harwood at Aetos Group, and Aaron Cook at Aetos Group
The ability to gain this unique perspective has recently become easier and safer with today’s technological advancements. This new technology comes in the form of a miniature flying machine, better known as a drone or small Unmanned Aerial System...
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BlogApril 20, 2015
We talk about heat exchangers quite a bit here on Inspectioneering, most recently in the January/February issue of the Journal. This is because heat exchangers are vital pieces of equipment in nearly every type of plant or facility.
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paolo Torrado at Engineering and Inspection Services, LLC.
An issue that arises frequently in the oil and gas industry is poor or missing documentation of pressure vessels. It is common in the industry to repurpose old equipment, bring equipment back into operation after a long period of time out of...
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ana Benz at IRISNDT, Michael O. Nichols at Marathon Petroleum Company, and Bradley Baudier at Marathon Petroleum Company LP
This article provides a discussion of a recent inspection performed at a U.S. refinery. Industry HF lines are experiencing piping failures in increasing numbers due to the presence of residual elements entrained within their carbon steel components.
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BlogMarch 23, 2015 By Tyler Alvarado at Inspectioneering
Lately, I’ve heard quite a bit of discussion surrounding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), also known as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones. (However, due to the negative connotations associated with the word drone, we’ve learned that people...
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Noam Amir at AcousticEye
Tube and shell heat exchangers are required to operate continuously in tough conditions for years, coping with thermal cycling, corrosive fluids on the tube and shell side, vibration and fouling of many different types, all collaborating towards...
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Scott Corey at Sentinel Integrity Solutions Inc.
One of the major challenges inspectors and plant operators face after each turnaround is to ensure that all repair and scope work is and was completed in accordance with the client’s requirements. Sometimes that verification will be to ensure work...
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rajesh Bose at BP, and Terry M. Webb at BP
The introduction of PAUT is a challenging effort initially, but can have a very positive impact on your first TAR and become a routine inspection for future TARs. When fully implemented, radiation safety boundaries can be reduced significantly or...
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kelsey Hevner at Quest Integrity Group
Steam reformers are critical assets for the successful operation of hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol plants. The steam reformer is also one of the most expensive assets in these facilities. Catalyst tubes inside the reformer are one of the most...
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Marc McConnell, P.E. at Pro-Surve Technical Services, Josh Yoakam at Holly Frontier Companies, and Jeannie Beth Richey at Sasol North America, Inc.
The role of an API inspector is rapidly changing. Necessary skills for success have transformed as technology, standardization, and regulations have become part of the way of life.
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July/August 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
One of the more common inspection monitoring programs for pressure vessels is to perform thickness measurement at Corrosion Monitoring Locations (CMLs) to allow monitoring of minimum thicknesses and provide estimates for corrosion rates. These...
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July/August 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Marc McConnell, P.E. at Pro-Surve Technical Services, David Jordan at CVR Energy, and Grady Hatton at Versa Integrity Group
One difficulty new company inspectors typically have is becoming comfortable in their new role. This is due to the fact that they have received little guidance about where they fit in with the "team." Where are they on the organization chart?
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July/August 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Scott Corey at Sentinel Integrity Solutions Inc.
In this issue of Inspectioneering Journal, I detail a roadmap for inspection activities during turnaround executions. This roadmap includes the critical elements of turnaround inspections, the keys to optimizing inspection activities, and the...
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May/June 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Luciano Narcisi at Stork AMT
As an RBI consultant, I frequently get involved in discussions spawned from a misunderstanding of the relation between Risk Based Inspection (RBI) approaches and Fitness for Service (FFS) assessments. Questions like: If thickness is below the...
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May/June 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jeremiah Wooten at Inspectioneering, LLC.
The following interview with Rich Roberts provides answers to some of the questions our readers have about small, specially designed pigs carrying NDE technologies that can inspect nearly every area of a tube from the coils interior surface.
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May/June 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
There are typically three tiers to pass through for most fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) programs before they reach excellence in FEMI. In my 45 years in the FEMI business, I have observed FEMI programs in all three tiers (phases).
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March/April 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Phil Smith at Chevron
The rules and regulations applying to U.S states, cities and Canadian provinces and territories concerning piping, pressure vessel and storage tank inspection can be described as "a coat of many colors," and are meant to represent continuous...
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March/April 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Neil Ferguson at Hydratight
Joint integrity programs (JIP) should be an integral part of every refinery, petrochemical, production, or other industrial-complex facility operations.
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March/April 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Gerrit Buchheim, P.E. at Becht, Marc McConnell, P.E. at Pro-Surve Technical Services, and Josh Yoakam at Holly Frontier Companies
High temperature sulfidation is probably the most well- known corrosion mechanism in the oil refining industry because it occurs in large sections of the refinery.
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March/April 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ron Maurier at Quest Integrity Group, LLC, and Dan Revelle, Sr. at Quest Integrity Group, LLC
New inline inspections and integrity management systems allow operators to understand the complexities and economics of terminals’ and station’s complex aging pipeline infrastructure.
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March/April 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Scott Corey at Sentinel Integrity Solutions Inc.
Periodically, oil refinery and petrochemical plant operating companies conduct complex turnarounds for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, scheduled maintenance, facility upgrades, and code compliance. In this series of articles...
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BlogMarch 31, 2014 By Nick Schmoyer at Inspectioneering
Occasionally, we like to provide recaps of articles written by our authors on a specific subject related to asset integrity management. This week, we're highlighting four of our most popular articles written about storage tank inspection.
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BlogMarch 3, 2014 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
In many ways, fertilizer plants are no different than most process industry plants including refineries and petrochemical facilities. Information in documents like API 510, 570, 653 and RPs 580, 581, 571, 577, 579, etc. is essential.
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January/February 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jason C. Shankle at United Dynamics Corporation
UAS (Unmanned Arial System) drone technology has numerous applications, including anything at elevated heights or where human access and/or occupancy are prohibited, or in the case of confined spaces, limited.
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January/February 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bob Lasser at Imperium, Inc., and Daniel Oehl at Imperium, Inc.
Technicians inspecting oil & gas installations and petrochemical plants employ a wide variety of nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques. A new technology has recently been developed that utilizes a real-time portable imaging device which has...
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BlogJanuary 13, 2014 By Jeremiah Wooten at Inspectioneering, LLC.
One of Inspectioneering's editorial themes this month is High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA). It is a highly contentious issue that the industry is still struggling to fully understand.
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BlogJanuary 6, 2014 By Nick Schmoyer at Inspectioneering
In 2013 Inspectioneering published content covering a wide array of topics, from risk-based inspection, to advanced nondestructive testing methods, to pipeline integrity management systems. Last year, we published more content than any year prior;...
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November/December 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard Mills at GE, John T. Iman at GE Oil and Gas Measurement & Controls-Inspection Technology, and Martin Sauerschnig at GE Oil and Gas Measurement and Control
Over recent years large strides have been made in application, development, and utilization of Digital Detector Arrays (DDAs) in field radiography environments (an application previously limited to film and computed radiography [CR] techniques).
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September/October 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Matthew Green at Neptune Research, Inc.
Composite repair systems can be a great option for owner/ operators to extend the life of their assets without disrupting operations.
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September/October 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sam Ternowchek at Mistras Group
Maintaining the mechanical integrity of above ground storage tanks (AST’s) is the focal point of tank inspection programs. Performing internal inspections is an integral part of a tank integrity program, however, deciding when to take a tank out...
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September/October 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
This article is the fifth of a series of articles that will focus on one critical sub process within a PEIP that is key in managing the integrity of process piping; Thickness Monitoring Programs for Internal Corrosion.
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BlogSeptember 30, 2013 By John Reynolds at Intertek
This post concludes the Top 7 reasons why some operating sites "just don’t get it." Reference the previous post for here and here. And for examples of all of the management systems for a sustainable PEI program of excellence, read my article, "The...
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BlogAugust 19, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Continuing from last week’s blog, I want to go in depth into scalable accuracy for fixed equipment lifecycle management. In this post, I want to outline the scalable accuracy approach to fixed equipment lifecycle management.
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BlogAugust 5, 2013 By Marc McConnell, P.E. at Pro-Surve Technical Services
At PinnacleAIS, we often get requests for a Senior API Inspector. But what does that mean exactly? What qualifications are required? Is there a test or a certification that provides the end user with assurance they are getting a higher caliber...
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BlogJuly 1, 2013 By John Reynolds at Intertek
I will emphasize the systems, work processes and procedures for identifying and controlling the rate and types of deterioration in pressure equipment. These are not in any particular order, as they are meant to operate interdependently.
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July/August 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Borja Lopez at Innerspec Technologies, Inc.
Non-contact ultrasonic testing with EMAT was formally introduced in part one of this series found in the March/April issue of Inspectioneering Journal. Readers were introduced to the practical advantages of EMAT Ultrasonic Testing.
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July/August 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy James R. Widrig at Quest Integrity
Inspection and fitness-for-service assessments of critical in-plant piping systems are a concern for the chemical industry. This presents a potentially insurmountable task and discovery of a number of areas where the condition is at risk.
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July/August 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Oscar Quintero at M&M Engineering Associates
Remote metallography, in-place metallography, in-situ metallography, and field replication are all examples of typical trade names of this great tool used for assessing the condition of a metal component.
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BlogJune 10, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
This post is the last in a series about Risk Basked Inspection (though, of course, this will not be the last time I discuss RBI). The earlier posts were on reasons for RBI, defining risk, and on managing risk. In this post, I want to talk about...
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BlogMay 20, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Anyone who knows me knows that Risk Based Inspection (RBI), and Risk Management, are a passion of mine, so my next few posts will feature these topics. These are not all-inclusive, but Inspectioneering.com has dozens of articles and you can...
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May/June 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group
Refineries and chemical plants own and operate numerous process heaters (e.g. gas reformers, CCRs, etc.) as part of the standard assets throughout the facilities. Many heater coil configuration designs are flanged at both ends; however, there are...
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May/June 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
Piping failures still represent a frustrating and ongoing problem for processing plants. Failures are still commonly reported and contribute to large losses. In the author’s experience, piping represents the highest percentage of fixed equipment...
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May/June 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Garic at Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
Predicting the remaining life of components operating in the creep regime is one of the trickiest problems encountered in the fitness-for-service (FFS) world.
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BlogMarch 3, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
This is a question with which I frequently like to start the API RBI 580/581 training course when I am instructing. It is meant to provoke the attendees to really think hard about why they order an inspection or really think about inspection...
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March/April 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Morgan at Thermo Fisher Scientific, and William Fotoples at Thermo Fisher Scientific
Sulfidic corrosion of piping and equipment within the refining industry continues to be a significant cause of leaks and issues that can lead to early replacements, unplanned outages, and incidents potentially resulting in loss of property and...
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March/April 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Thomas Phan at Bureau Veritas Inspectorate, and Mike Bartholmey at Bureau Veritas Inspectorate
For crude oil refiners and traders, information is the lifeblood of their operations and business decisions. The information obtained by crude oil assays, which includes physical properties and compositional analysis of a crude oil, provides...
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March/April 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Thomas Fortinberry at Quest Integrity Group, and James R. Widrig at Quest Integrity
Steam reformers are critical assets to many refining and chemical manufacturing plants and facilities, and it is well known that the reformer is one of the most challenging assets to maintain and operate. Common problems in reformer operations...
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March/April 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Borja Lopez at Innerspec Technologies, Inc.
This is the first in a series of three articles that will introduce Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) and its practical applications in the field of nondestructive testing (NDT). EMAT, or Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducer, is an...
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A Discussion on the Piping Thickness Management Process - Part 3: Data Collection with Ultrasonics and RadiographyJanuary/February 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
This article is the third of a series of articles that will focus on one critical sub process within a PEIP that is key in managing the integrity of process piping: thickness monitoring programs for internal corrosion. These articles will discuss...
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November/December 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group
Various fired heater designs in refineries and chemical plants contain common headers (e.g. Arbor coil configurations, CCRs, etc.) as part of their overall serpentine coil design. Accessing the interior of individual coils through the common header...
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November/December 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Gary Penney at ADMA
A unique technique for inspecting and cleaning the floors of an Above Ground Storage Tank (AST) emerged in the late 90’s based on In-Service Robotic Technology. The technology has come a long way since then, with new inspection and tank cleaning...
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September/October 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group
The refining industry has applied ultrasonic-based intelligent pigging to inspect serpentine coils in fired heaters since the 1990s. Today, thousands of serpentine coils in fired heaters are inspected annually at process facilities around the globe.
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July/August 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
The question of how to set risk targets is a logical one and should be addressed prior to or in the very early stages of RBI implementation. This article will guide readers through the basic elements required to address this question within an...
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May/June 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Clay Goudy at GE Industrial Solutions
A self-propelled in-line inspection tool tested at Electric Power Research Institute and utilized in Europe can traverse a complex piping configuration and discriminate areas of metal loss. This tool is becoming available to inspect traditionally...
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March/April 2012 Inspectioneering Journal
The new capabilities being developed through the Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Modeling and Simulation Center are expect- ed to reduce the time, cost and complexity of approaches used to develop and demonstrate NDE techniques to meet regulatory...
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November/December 2011 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
The original article on scalable accuracy which laid the groundwork for the concept was published in the March April 2011 issue of the Inspectioneering Journal, entitled Scalable Accuracy, Key Roles of Risk Based Inspection and Fitness for Service,...
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September/October 2011 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Leaks or spills over the life of nuclear power plant operation can lead to undesirable consequences. The nuclear industry’s GroundwaterProtectionInitiativeandthelessonslearnedand experiences gained from implementing groundwater protection...
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September/October 2011 Inspectioneering JournalBy Pieter VanderWerf at Building Works
Deterioration of concrete structures has plagued petrochemical production facilities. As a result of sulfur compound exposure, concrete corrodes and weakens continuously over time. The proper operation of the structure deteriorates with it until...
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MI Inspection During Capital Projects Promotes PSM Compliance, Corrosion Rate Accuracy and Improved BudgetingMay/June 2011 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paul F. Schubert, Ph.D. at SGS North America Industrial Services, and Travis Keener, P.E. at SGS North America Industrial Services
Putting off the initial inspection (i.e. baseline) of piping and vessels in a new process unit is both common and problematic. The tendency of owners is to rely on the nominal thickness because the actual original thickness was either not measured...
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May/June 2011 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joey Poret at Chevron Thailand
As the technology of NDT systems improve, it is important to assure that the people and processes using this technology are adequately prepared in order to take full advantage of the enhancements of the system.
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Development of a Remote Robotic Crack Detection System for Internal Inspections of On-line Coke DrumsMay/June 2011 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rick Clark at CIA Inspection Inc.
In the summer of 2005, as part of CIA Inspection's (CIAI) ongoing, in house, research efforts to improve inspection capabilities for coke drums, a development program was initiated to integrate ACFM (Alternating Current Field Measurement) inspection...
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November/December 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) is a long known and still occurring degradation issue for fixed equipment construction materials in the hydrocarbon process industry where hydroprocess plants (hydrogen plus hydrocarbons) are in service....
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November/December 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, B.K. Shah at BARC, and D. Mukherjee at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Rapid industrial and technological growth throughout the world makes it necessary to develop new materials along with advanced Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods to ensure their quality without premature failures. The complex modern system, where...
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The Role of Risk Assessment and Inspection Planning in Achieving Excellence in Pressure Equipment Integrity and ReliabilitySeptember/October 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
In the first article in this series entitled How to Put It All Together - Guide to Organizing a Successful PEI Program, (1) I provided an overview of the necessary Management Systems (MS) for a successful program to achieve excellence in pressure...
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July/August 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy Santhosh Lukose at Metalcare Inspection Services Inc.
CUI (Corrosion Under Insulation) has always been a challenge for plant operators, quality assurance/reliability engineers and equipment owners. It is hard to identify the problem until it has become an emergency situation, often leading to unit shut...
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July/August 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy Craig Emslie BSc at Sonomatic Ltd., and Karen Gibson at Sonomatic Ltd.
Inspection intervals for equipment have in the past been defined in a prescriptive manner. However, industry is now embracing the Risk Based Inspection (RBI) approach which in contrast prioritises inspections based on an assessment of the risk to...
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January/February 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group
For years refinery and chemical plant operators have utilized ultrasonic-based intelligent pig technology to inspect coils in convection and radiant sections of fired heaters. This proven technology provides accurate inspection data which allows...
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November/December 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Stefan Papenfuss at Quest Integrity Group
Pipeline integrity management programs are largely driven by regulatory compliance and are typically budgeted years in advance. Operators of all sizes are looking for ways to reduce expenditures related to operational efficiency and safety in order...
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What an Ohio Oil and Gas Producer or Affiliated Industry Company Needs to Know About an OSHA InspectionNovember/December 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Andrew Balcar at Bricker and Eckler LLP, Michael S. Holman at Bricker and Eckler LLP, Doug Shevelow at Bricker and Eckler LLP, and Matt Warnock at Bricker and Eckler LLP
A recent well publicized Ohio fatality highlights the simple truth that the oil and gas industry can be a dangerous business. This has been recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA, which is charged with...
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A Simple Mistake While Performing Active Infrared Thermography Approach: Something we should think about!July/August 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy M.Z. Umar at Malaysian Nuclear Agency
We have been introduced to Infrared Thermography (IRT) since World War I and over the last decade the application of this technique has gained impetus. Today, the IRT application is widely used and accepted by many industries such as power...
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July/August 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Willis Perry
In the current economic environment, there is increasing pressure on petrochemical refineries and delivery systems to be more productive and to minimize unscheduled shutdowns due to leakage. Leakage can occur from either the piping itself or the...
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API RP 581 Risk-based Inspection Technology Demonstrating the Technology Through a Worked Example ProblemMay/June 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital
This article is Part 3 of a 3-Part series. The articles in this series provide a step-by-step example of utilization of API RP 581 and build off of each other. This article (Part 3) will cover the final risk analysis, inspection planning, provide a...
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March/April 2009 Inspectioneering Journal
History has taught us that we should trust, but verify! Verification of alloys to ensure they are composed of the correct alloying elements has been the realm of handheld x-ray fluorescence for the past four decades. Industries ranging from...
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January/February 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dan Carnevale at Danatronics Corporation
Ultrasonic thickness gages have progressed a long way since their early development in the 1960's. The first thickness gages were large and bulky although they used the same conventional longitudinal (compressional wave) techniques still in use...
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November/December 2008 Inspectioneering Journal
High energy piping (HEP) systems, main stream lines and hot reheat lines (typically low chrome molybdenum steels), are susceptible to creep damage can lead to leaks, and in extreme cases, catastrophic rupture. To ensure safe and reliable...
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November/December 2008 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
After pressure equipment (aka fixed or static equipment) is designed, fabricated, and constructed to new construction codes and standards (C/S), it is placed in-service, at which time the API In-service Inspection (ISI) C/S and ASME...
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July/August 2008 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek, and W. David Wang at Shell Global Solutions
This paper covers most of the common (and some not so common) types of NDE methods for heat exchanger (HX) tubular in-service inspections. In addition to noting some of the various advantages and limitations with these methods, the paper covers heat...
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Alberta Boiler Safety Association Issues Rev 5 Inspection & Servicing Requirements for Pressure EquipmentMay/June 2008 Inspectioneering Journal
The latest revision of this code (AB-506) is dated January 28, 2008. For many readers in the province of Alberta Canada these rules will impact you directly. Others may see effects or feel indirect effects as you jurisdictions may look to ABSA for...
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November/December 2007 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mark Vining at Sunoco Inc.
Facilities are often content in compiling event data, entering thickness measurements, assigning a system description, tracking work requests and recommendations in their databases. These are certainly valuable data points but using your database...
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September/October 2007 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
In my travels around the world as one of the primary API RBI 580/581 training course instructors the question always comes up, “What risk threshold or tolerable risk should I be using?” and “If I do not have one, how can I implement RBI?”
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September/October 2007 Inspectioneering Journal
Interested in a review of liquid pipeline leak detection technology focused on monitoring and detection of small leaks?
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July/August 2007 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paul Jackson at Plant Integrity Ltd., and Tat-Hean Gan at TWI Ltd.
The integrity of pipelines is a natural concern for pipeline operators, and so the ability to detect corrosion, erosion and mechanical damage in pipes is therefore of significant interest. Traditional methods of detection, such as pigging and...
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September/October 2006 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bob Baker at John H. Carter Co., Inc.
The July/August 2006 issue of the IJ contained Part 1 on the integrity of salvaged, remanfactured and repaired control valves. This second part includes recommendations for the straightforward and efficient identification, abatement, and ongoing...
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July/August 2006 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
The Shell Martinez Refinery has been in operation since 1915, and is located 30 miles northeast of San Francisco on about 1,000 acres of land. The refinery combines state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to convert approximately 165,000 barrels...
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July/August 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Julian Speck at TWI Ltd., and Bryan Kenzie at TWI
The ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) technique was developed for the UK nuclear industry during the 1970s to provide a method for measuring the height of planar flaws. TOFD is now generally recognized as the most accurate ultrasonic...
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July/August 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and B.K. Shah at BARC
Radiography is the most widely used volumetric examination technique for non-destructive evaluation of components, as it offers the advantage of direct viewing of the flaw image, judging the type of flaw and provides a permanent record. Flaw...
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July/August 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jonathan D. Dobis at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc., and David N. French
This bulletin is part of a series of WRC Bulletins that contain the technical background and other information to evaluate damage mechanisms in various industries to facilitate the use of API 579. These bulletins, shown below, will be updated based...
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March/April 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Julian Speck at TWI Ltd., and Afshin Motarjemi at TWI
TWI's Members recently requested an evaluation of the instrumented indentation technique (IIT). IIT is claimed to be capable of determining tensile properties from a local indentation similar to a hardness test. TWI subsequently investigated the...
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March/April 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bob Stakenborghs, P.E. at Evisive Inc.
Once the microwave inspection method was determined to be capable of providing reliable and meaningful inspection results for defects located on the exterior, interior, and interior surfaces of non-metallic components, potential industry...
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January/February 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Hegeon Kwun at Southwest Research Institute, and Glenn Light at Southwest Research Institute
Nearly ten years ago the magnetostrictive sensor (MsS) technology was reported in this journal (July/August 1996 Issue, Volume 2 Issue 4) as a method to detect corrosion in insulated piping. At that time, the MsS Technology consisted primarily of...
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January/February 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bob Stakenborghs, P.E. at Evisive Inc.
Several years ago, a need was identified to develop an improved nondestructive inspection method to volumetrically inspect dielectric materials. Specifically, an inspection method for detecting defects in rubber expansion joints was needed to assist...
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November/December 2004 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group
Reliable "intelligent pig technology" is now readily available to the refining industry which can provide quick / comprehensive inspection to both "convection" and "radiant" sections in process furnace piping coils. Both tabular data formats along...
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September/October 2004 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Exactly two years ago, an interview with John Nyholt appeared in the “IJ”. New ground will be covered in this interchange. We at the IJ thought it might be valuable to spend some time chatting about his background, challenges he has faced...
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July/August 2004 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
The "low hanging fruit" has been harvested in most places. Now comes the challenge of gathering the most bountiful harvest, that which is amongst the leaves and branches, without harming the tree. This will require practical expertise. This will...
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March/April 2004 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mark Badrick at Bahrain Petroleum Company
The title question is often asked and more often than not, impossible to answer. This paper follows on from a previous discussion (Inspectioneering Journal Volume 4 Issue 1 Jan/Feb 1998) relating to the difficulties arising whilst attempting to...
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March/April 2004 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
In the early days (circa 1988-1991) of introducing the petroleum refining and chemical industries in the US, to the idea that RBI implementation could be valuable many fell into the trap of focusing on how much money could be saved, to the exclusion...
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January/February 2004 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dan Quinn at In TANK Services, Inc.
Storage tank owners can reap large financial benefits by shifting from a reactive tank repair strategy to a proactive inspection and maintenance program. In reaction to well publicized tank failures in the 80's and the development of API 653...
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September/October 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
The API Inspection Subcommittee has issued the second edition of their inspection benchmarking survey. We are encouraging as many sites, worldwide, to participate as possible, so that we have the most amount of data available for analysis and...
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May/June 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
A new recommended practice from the API is in the final stages of preparation before publications. It is API RP 577 on Welding Inspection and Metallurgy.
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Inspection of Wire Ropes and Strand Guyed and Supported Structures Flare Stacks - Pipeline Spans Using ElectromagneticsMay/June 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy David R. Hall at Longview Inspection
Many of the guyed flare stacks and wire rope or strand supported structures in use in U.S. and overseas refineries, pipelines and chemical plants were erected in the 1950's, 60's and 70's. Some were built even earlier. While many of the components...
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May/June 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
There are many aspects to successful, effective and efficient implementation of RBI 1, such as; - Data collection - Operations data - Mechanical data - The role of inspection histories and inspection planning - How much data do I really need to...
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March/April 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Nand K. Gupta at Omega International Technology, Inc.
During the past two years, a new High Resolution Gamma Ray Detector Array System to detect and measure small corrosion pits in real-time in the inservice piping in process industries, has been in development. This High Resolution Gamma Ray...
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March/April 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy Eitan Shibi at Techs4Biz Corporation
Many engineers are still performing their inspection and service activities and daily tasks using manual, paper-based forms. However, applying appropriate technology and providing simple-to-use automation tools can increase productivity, improve...
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January/February 2003 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kelley Jones at Pro-Inspect Inc.
We have discussed most of the pre-turnaround planning details. We are ready for the next step. The cost for the Turnaround is normally the most important item right behind SAFETY. In many cases the salary, per diem and travel costs have been part of...
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November/December 2002 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
An effort is currently underway to create a new code for in-service inspection and maintenance of pressure equipment in the hydrocarbon process industry. The API Committee on Refinery Equipment (CRE) and the ASME Board on Pressure Technology Codes...
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September/October 2002 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kelley Jones at Pro-Inspect Inc.
If you enter a petrochemical facility to work everyday, you realize the security issues. It is very important to have this issue resolved before the inspectors begin to arrive. The first morning of the Turnaround there are usually several thousand...
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March/April 2002 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kelley Jones at Pro-Inspect Inc.
We all agree that safety is the most important item on any Turnaround. It is also one of the most difficult items to sort out prior to the Turnaround. The fact that API Turnaround Inspectors travel all over the country increases the need to be...
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November/December 2001 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kelley Jones at Pro-Inspect Inc.
The use of contractor inspectors for turnarounds has increased in recent years. Mergers with reductions in staff personnel for major oil and chemical companies have fueled this growth. Still, we hear "horror" stories about problems that occur during...
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September/October 2001 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
In part 1 we covered: - Evolution of the emergence of advanced NDE - External and internal motivators to develop more effective inspection programs - Risk based approaches - Sources of industry reference materials - Setting the Course - Why...
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July/August 2001 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Inspectioneering caught up with Dave Wang at the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Spring 2001 Refining meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. We spent some time, near the pool at a break between meetings, discussing Dave’s background, experiences...
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July/August 2001 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
We've come a long way since my introduction to plant inspection processes in 1975 and certainly since the industrial revolution in the late 1800's. As I recall from history class it was the intent of the wealthy industrialist to make money, plain...
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May/June 2001 Inspectioneering JournalBy Russell Orr at Metals Technologies Laboratories, CANMET, and John Bowker at Materials Technology Laboratory
The use of engineering critical assessment (ECA)of "fitness for service", for the evaluation of flaws and local wall thinning in pressure vessels is receiving a lot of attention in the petrochemical and utility industries. A rigorous methodology...
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May/June 2001 Inspectioneering Journal
This is a summary about RBI application to plant utility boilers in a liquefied natural gas plant with a design life of 20 years, now 27 years old.
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January/February 2001 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paul K. Davidson at WIS, Inc., David Silverling at Tubular Ultrasound, L.P., and Jason Hicks at Tubular Ultrasound, L.P.
This article describes a new inspection technology for rapid, on-stream,quantitative examinations of piping under support areas. This portable production system has been in commercial operation in the major U.S. Gulf Coast refineries for the past...
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September/October 2000 Inspectioneering JournalBy T.C. Ridgeway & Staff at TCRI
In part 1 of this article we covered the importance of quality assurance of UT data, that is, understanding for each particular application, the accuracy required of the UT data, and new ways/graphical program to analyze and show the...
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September/October 2000 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This article continues to outline the 101 essential elements that need to be in place, and functioning well, to effectively and efficiently, preserve and protect the reliability and integrity of pressure equipment (vessels, exchangers, furnaces,...
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July/August 2000 Inspectioneering JournalBy T.C. Ridgeway & Staff at TCRI
The American Paper Institute Recovery Boiler Reference Manual Volume 1, October 1979, indicates that the two main goals of conducting ultrasonic thickness (UT) inspections are to determine (1) the current tube wall thickness and (2) the rate of...
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101 Essential Elements in a Pressure Equipment Integrity Management Program for the Hydrocarbon Process IndustryMay/June 2000 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This is the first of a series of articles that outlines the 101 essential elements that need to be in place, and functioning well, to preserve and protect the reliability and integrity of pressure equipment (vessels, exchangers, furnaces, boilers,...
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Laser Profilometry Applied To Catalyst Tubes In Reformers For Ongoing Condition Monitoring of Creep DamageNovember/December 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group
Steam reformers are an integral part of ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and gas process plants around the world. THey are one of the highest cost, both in capital and maintenance, pieces of equipment in the plant. Typically, reformers contain several...
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Utilizing On-Stream Inspection Techniques in the Petroleum/Petrochemical Industry in Lieu of Internal and Turnaround InspectionsSeptember/October 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This is part three of a three part article for the IJ describing some of the advanced on-stream inspection (OSI) methods available for use in inspection of pressure equipment in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. These methods can be used,...
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September/October 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Reggie Cross at ND Tech
This paper describes the use of a UT fixture for detection of stress corrosion cracking in ferrous heat exchanger tube-to-tubesheet welds and external tube corrosion or pitting near the tubesheets including crevice OD corrosion.
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July/August 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paul Marks at NDT Training and Placement Center, Ken Miertschin at Iris Inspection Services, Inc , and Nick R. Skinner at Iris Inspection Services, Inc
The new Sludge Profiler for Oil Tanks system (S.P.O.T.) solves the major problem of accurately quantifying the volume of sludge in oil storage tanks with floating roofs.
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Utilizing On-stream Inspection Techniques in the Petroleum/Petrochemical Industry in Lieu of Internal and Turnaround InspectionsJuly/August 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek, and Mark Bell at Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions
This is part two of a three part article describing some of the advanced on-stream inspection (OSI) methods available for use in inspection of pressure equipment in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. These methods can be used, under the right...
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July/August 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Art Leach at Krautkramer
Many digital ultrasonic thickness gauges have internal memory that allows the storage of thousands of thickness readings. Some instruments have "sequential" data loggers that store the thickness values in a numerical series. These data loggers are...
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Utilizing On-stream Inspection Techniques in the Petroleum/Petrochemical Industry in Lieu of Internal and Turnaround InspectionsMay/June 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek, and Mark Bell at Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions
This three-part article describes some of the advanced on-stream inspection (OSI) methods available for use in inspection of pressure equipment in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. These methods can be used, under the right circumstances, to...
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May/June 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Art Leach at Krautkramer
Keeping critical equipment on-line can be a challenging task. Monitoring the wall thickness of equipment subjected to corrosive chemicals, temperature and operational changes is both a safety and manufacturing concern. Thus, on-line testing of...
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May/June 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard L. Lopushanksy at Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed an innovative method for rapid screening of heat exchanger tubing using Guided Wave technology. This screening method can lead to an improvement in heat exchanger reliability and a reduction in the...
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May/June 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paul K. Davidson at WIS, Inc.
EMATs (Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers) have been used for over six years for field service inspection of in-service piping. Recent advances in technology have allowed us to inspect new types of on-stream piping.
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March/April 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mike Sparago at The Equity Engineering Group
Inspection data analysis tools, like risk-based inspection, help us to focus on quantitative reliability targets. When considering thinning mechanisms, there is a certain probability that a piece of equipment will reach retirement thickness before...
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March/April 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Some Middle Eastern and European operators are now using AE successfully to screen tanks for internal inspection by listening for active tank bottom corrosion, and then grading the tank as high, medium or low need for internal inspection.
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January/February 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy Joseph E. Pascente at Lixi, Inc.
One of the greatest challenges facing many of refining, fossil power, and pulp and paper industries is: How to effectively examine their insulated piping?
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September/October 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Bruce A. Pellegrino at Sensor Networks, Inc.
Faced with stricter OSHA regulations and increased competitiveness in the global market, process facilities have looked toward a technical solution, including man-less entry into vessels, pressure vessels, and tanks for their internal inspections.
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July/August 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Constance Reichert at Edison Welding Institute
Visual inspection is the most common nondestructive testing method. For critical applications, machine vision technology provides advantages over visual inspection.
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July/August 1998 Inspectioneering Journal
The debate about advantages and drawbacks of the application of the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) approach for ultrasonic weld inspection should not forget the original reasons for its introduction in the 1960s. The major advantage at that time...
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Remote Inspection Tool Developed to Provide Inspection for Complex Furnace Tube Configurations - Part 2 of 2May/June 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group, and Tim Cowling
Part 1 included a review of current tube inspection practices in convection and radiant sections of heaters/furnaces in the refining and chemical industries. The authors also presented a new inspection device combining laser image mapping of the...
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May/June 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mike Badeen at Phillips 66 Co.
New inspection technology, when added to the proven practice of using tell tale holes (TTHs), proves effective in reducing significant releases and or catastrophic events that are related to internal corrosion / erosion of process piping. In fact,...
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May/June 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Paul K. Davidson at WIS, Inc.
During the past year, WIS has presented a number of papers about EMATs. The type of discussions that have followed the presentations has surprised us. The overall view of industry to EMATs has been: "Aren't EMATs still just a good lab tool? There...
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May/June 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the report on this catastrophic failure that involved two storage tanks in a Pennsylvania refinery. The report issued March 20, 1998, stated that while both tanks had roof replacements since their...
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March/April 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mark Bell at Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions
In Part 1 of my article that appeared in the previous edition of the IJ, I focused on several issues that are vital to the successful application of any inspection information management system. In Part 2 of my article, I will concentrate on several...
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March/April 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard D. Roberts at Quest Integrity Group, and Tim Cowling
Furnace tubes in the petrochemical and refining industries lengths' can exceed 2,000 ft., often with multiple serpentine bends. This can make them extremely difficult to inspect using conventional NDE methods. The following inspection tool (FTIS)...
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January/February 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mark Bell at Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions
Inspection record systems, used to be just that, a place to "record" data. Our industry has spent many millions of dollars collection data to put into our "record" systems. The problem was trying to manage and utilize the millions of pieces of...
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January/February 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Mark Badrick at Bahrain Petroleum Company
The use of Infrared Thermal Imagers, particularly for temperature measurement within an operating furnace environment, is reliant on the accurate evaluation of specific parameters, which the pyrometer requires in order to produce true temperature...
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January/February 1998 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ed Ginzel
TODF (time-of-flight-diffraction) is proposed as an option to Pulse-echo methods by some practitioners. It suffers from shortcomings that can limit its effectiveness.
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November/December 1997 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dave Palmbach at DBA Systems, Inc.
Radiographic film provides an inexpensive method of ensuring the quality and structural integrity of construction over time. Much of today's analysis being performed with Non Destructive Test (NDT) radiographic film is done visually using light...
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September/October 1997 Inspectioneering JournalBy Michael Twomey at CONAM Inspection Inc., and Jay N. Rothbart at Conam Inspection Inc.
This task though tedious and exasperating is a key part of the operation. Plant personnel often find ingenious uses and filing systems for key data such as UW 1 forms. The more remote the plant site is, the more extraordinary the hiding places. In...
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September/October 1997 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This is the fourth in a series of articles on piping inspection that I'm writing for the Journal. One of the previous ones dealt with improving thickness data taking accuracy with digital ultrasonic methods. This article is a "sister article" that...
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March/April 1997 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This is the second in a series of articles on piping inspection. In the last article, I enumerated four inspection issues that I believe contribute to inadequate piping mechanical integrity in the hydrocarbon process industry.
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January/February 1997 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
It's probably more important to those of us who don't have a brain tumor. Unfortunately, it's precisely because piping inspection is not neurosurgery that it's often done poorly, which can lead to significant impacts on process unit reliability, or...
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November/December 1996 Inspectioneering JournalBy Michael Twomey at CONAM Inspection Inc.
Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a real threat to the onstream reliability of many of today's plants. This type of corrosion can cause failures in areas that are not normally of a primary concern to an inspection program. The failures are often...
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July/August 1996 Inspectioneering Journal
All FRP tanks should be fabricated to a national standard as a basic requirement. Additional requirements may be appropriate and should be agreed to by the purchaser and fabricator. Very acceptable basic standards are...
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May/June 1996 Inspectioneering Journal
In today's environmental and legal climate, industry is looking for guaranteed high reliability of vessel quality for most chemical fluids. Failures are more costly than in the past due to: 1. environmental laws and requirements 2. emphasis on...
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March/April 1996 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Are your jurisdictional boiler and/or pressure vessel rules and regulations too stringent, too costly, too bureaucratic, without adding real safety value commensurate with the time and resources necessary for compliance? Are you having to hire...
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March/April 1996 Inspectioneering JournalBy P.E. Myers at Chevron Research & Technology Co.
This case study is an example of an incident that started with a routine API 653 inspection and resulted in a very difficult repair to a tank bottom contaminated with hydrocarbons on the underside. This case highlights the potential risks with...
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March/April 1996 Inspectioneering JournalBy Steven L. Braune, P.E. at AEC Engineering, Inc.
Since the publication of API Standard 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction in early 1991 it has gained wide acceptance within the petroleum and chemical industries. In addition, six states (Alaska, Arkansas, Florida,...
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January/February 1996 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
There are a lot of vital roles in the success of any refinery or petrochemical process plant. But none are more important to success than that filled by the pressure equipment inspector (PEI). Years back, we recognized that world class pressure...
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November/December 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy David A. Mauney at Southwest Research Institute
In the aging portion of an asset's life, the failure rate is exponential. This creates a need for predictive maintenance expenditures to maintain reliability.
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September/October 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Nand K. Gupta at Omega International Technology, Inc.
In May 1995, Omega International Technology, Inc., began testing a new system to measure pipe wall thicknesses using digital radiography (RT) scanning. This new system has the potential for being faster, less labor intensive, and shown improved...
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September/October 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
If it's glass-lined, chances are the environment is very corrosive to most metallics. In general, once the glass lining is breached, through-wall corrosion doesn't take very long. An effective maintenance, operation and inspection program will go...
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July/August 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
With miles of piping and tons of equipment to consider for on-stream inspection or monitoring you probably have:
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July/August 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Late in 1994, the API surveyed their committee on refining equipment members in order to provide benchmarking information on the extent of Pressure Equipment Inspection (PEI) activities and programs underway at member companies.
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July/August 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rick Clark at CIA Inspection Inc.
Delayed coker vessels experience severe loading sequences as they are routinely filled with hot liquid product (approx. 9000 F) and quenched to ambient temperature in a relatively short time period. The industry trend is to shorten the operating...
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May/June 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Russell D. Kane at CLI International Inc., and Dr. Michael S. Cayard at Flint Hills Resources
Exposure of carbon steel equipment to wet H2S service environments can lead to various forms of attack, e.g. hydrogen blistering and hydrogen induced cracking (HIC), stress oriented hydrogen induced cracking (SOHIC) and sulfide stress cracking...
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May/June 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Never have I known or read of anyone, who sought out wisdom, to regret it, nor to help but benefit from it. Wouldn't you agree, wisdom recognizes, holds onto, operates out of and values timeless, tried and true principles that can be, and should...
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March/April 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
We dedicate this forum to the owners/operators of Chemical, Refining and Utility process facilities. The Inspectioneering Journal will publish articles on a bi-monthly basis. Some of the topics we will cover as they relate to mechanical integrity...
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March/April 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Many promising advances are being made in inspection technologies, today. Some are going to provide opportunities for companies to maintain and increase equipment mechanical integrity, quite possibly at lower costs.
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Utilities' High Energy Piping Systems - Utility Industry's Application of Acoustic Emission Yields Measurable Improvement in Inspection Program Cost and Overall System IntegrityMarch/April 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Charles L. Foster at Pacific Gas & Electric
High energy piping (HEP) systems, main steam lines and hot reheat lines (typically low chrome molydbdenum steels), are susceptible to creep damage. Such damage can lead to leaks, and in extreme cases, catastrophic failure.
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March/April 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Most inspection companies, including those who dabble in engineering, today, go about things in much the same way as they have in the last five to ten years. Some offer routine services at bargain-basement prices. Others provide high tech services...
Videos related to Inspection
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Sponsored Video Published on February 19, 2021MISTRAS Digital is an end-to-end workflow solution that helps boost productivity by streamlining time-consuming, inefficient work processes to help your inspection, maintenance, and reliability teams.
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Sponsored Video Published on May 18, 2020The OmniScan™ X3 redefines Olympus’ reputation for high-quality images and reliability. Rugged, reliable, and IP65 certified, the OmniScan™ X3 offers advanced total focusing method/phased array imaging and an improved workflow.
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Published on June 19, 2019In this Whiteboard Discussion, Chief Editor Greg Alvarado discusses the concept of "Scalable Accuracy," a term used to describe the varying levels of detail necessary to consider when planning and conducting a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) assessment
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Sponsored Video Published on December 13, 2018Although CUI is widely recognized as a primary driver for damage in the petrochemical industry, the solutions often lack the sophistication devoted to other damage mechanisms.
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Sponsored Video Published on November 8, 2018Many refining, gas processing, and petrochemical plants have already identified the need to define Integrity Operating Windows, but most are still unsure how to extract the most value from them.
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Published on July 25, 2018In this Whiteboard Discussion, Greg Alvarado provides a simple answer to an even simpler question: Why do we inspect?
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Sponsored Video Published on February 22, 2018This webinar discusses the particular aspects involved in obtaining accurate and repeatable infrared temperature measurements of fired heater tubes, as well as a wealth of diagnostic information that may be used to evaluate the performance and...
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Sponsored Video Published on October 27, 2017We teamed up with the American Petroleum Institute and industry expert John Reynolds to host this 30-minute webinar covering the vital function of the Source Inspector.
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Sponsored Video Published on June 14, 2017Effective pipeline integrity management has been problematic for a large number of pipelines that were not designed for in-line inspection. Quest Integrity understands the complexities involved with this challenging segment and offers a...
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Published on May 18, 2017Clay discusses his professional journey, industry influences, major challenges faced in the process industries, exciting developments in mechanical integrity, and more.
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Sponsored Video Published on May 15, 2017InVista Subsea, an advanced ultrasonic ILI tool from Quest Integrity, provides a solution for challenging and difficult-to-inspect subsea pipelines.
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Sponsored Video Published on July 29, 2016Those involved in the implementation or management of mechanical integrity (MI) programs understand the value of good feedback. An effective feedback loop is critical to ensuring your MI program is achieving the desired results.
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Sponsored Video Published on August 18, 201530-minute interview on the evolution of reliability and its role within the energy and process industries with Ryan Sitton, Texas Railroad Commissioner.
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Sponsored Video Published on May 27, 201560-minute webinar presented by PinnacleART on the evolution of inspection and mechanical integrity programs in the refining and process industries.
White Papers related to Inspection
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Sponsored White Paper
This white paper from the experts at Ionix will discuss how high temperature ultrasonic sensors are enabling on-stream asset integrity, performance, and corrosion management.
Downloads & Resources related to Inspection
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Asset Intelligence Report
This Asset Intelligence Report provides an introduction to Conventional NDE and its applications across industries and equipment lifecycles.
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Sponsored Checklist
The Mechanical Integrity Audit Checklist serves as a companion piece to the Inspectioneering webinar, Auditing My Mechanical Integrity Program, presented by Mr. Reuben Laurel.
Events related to Inspection
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March 8 - 12 2021Location: Virtual Training
Hosted By: Becht
Dates: March 8, 2021 - March 12, 2021
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May 10 - 14 2021Location: Virtual Event
Hosted By: CRU Group
Dates: May 10, 2021 - May 14, 2021
Conferences Exhibitions & Trade Shows Seminars & Workshops
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Jan 21 - Oct 21 2021Location: Online Webinar Series
Hosted By: IPEIA
Dates: January 21, 2021 - October 21, 2021
Online Events -
March 10 2021Location: Online Webinar
Hosted By: Gecko Robotics
Dates: March 10, 2021
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News related to Inspection
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NewsReuters, February 8, 2021
Marathon Petroleum Corp plans to shut several units at its 585,000 barrel-per-day Galveston Bay Refinery in mid-February for a planned overhaul.
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Press ReleaseOlympus, July 7, 2020
Using Olympus’ new AxSEAM scanner, inspectors can now more easily set up and inspect long seam welds, enabling them to work more independently in the field.
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NewsClarion Technical Conferences, April 30, 2020
The 33rd annual Pipeline Pigging and Integrity Management (PPIM) Conference and Exhibition is now accepting papers for the 2021 event.
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NewsInspectioneering Staff, April 14, 2020
The American Petroleum Institute has published an updated 2nd Edition of Recommended Practice 1169 - Pipeline Construction Inspection.
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NewsReuters, March 20, 2020
Lyondell Basell Industries said maintenance operations were staffed at its Houston refinery to assure safety and reliability.
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Press ReleaseNovember 4, 2019
Olympus' new OmniScan X3 flaw detector elevates the standard for PAUT with innovations that improve the entire inspection workflow.
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NewsReuters, August 13, 2019
Royal Dutch Shell Plc will begin restarting units at its Norco, Louisiana chemical and refining facilities this week following overhauls.
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NewsReuters, August 7, 2019
Marathon Petroleum Corp may restart a reformer at its 585,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, Texas, by the end of the week.
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NewsReuters, August 7, 2019
Valero Energy Corp shut a hydrocracking unit (HCU) and sulfur recovery unit (SRU) at its 335,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Port Arthur, Texas, refinery on Monday.