Inspection FFS Flaw Evaluation, and Repair/Alterations of Pressure Vessels

Introduction

In June 2007 API and ASME produced a joint update of each society’s version of FITNESS FOR SERVICE. The new standard is now called API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 2007.

The participant will learn to apply the rules of the API/ASME 579 standard "Fitness-for-Service" to recognize degradation mechanisms, evaluate the integrity and remaining life of tanks, pressure vessels, piping systems and pipelines, make cost effective run-or-repair decisions, and select the appropriate repair options.

 In this program you will learn:

• Fundamental principles of fitness-for-service, their practical application through case histories, and a step-by-step evaluation process for each type of degradation mechanism
• Fundamental principles of component integrity, application of the ASME code rules, material properties of strength and toughness, and the introduction to stress and fracture mechanics
• A review of degradation mechanisms and the application of API 579 to brittle fracture, general metal loss, local wall thinning, pitting, blisters and laminations, mechanical defects (dents, gouges, misalignment, and distortion), crack-like flaws (stress corrosion cracking, weld flaws, crack-like defects), fatigue, HIC & SOHIC and fire damage

Objectives

• Latest techniques to determine the fitness-for-service of operating tanks, vessels, piping systems and pipelines; and make cost-effective run-or-repair decisions based on the principles of API recommended practice 579 "Fitness-for-Service"
• Balanced approach between the fundamental technical principles of structural integrity, stress and fracture analysis, and their practical application to field conditions
• Provides the participants with the tools necessary to recognize and assess defects in tanks, vessels and piping
• Presents and applies the fundamentals rules of the ASME code to operating equipment and systems
• Introduces the participants to the practical application of the ASME and API rules for structural integrity of static equipment and pipelines, and their use to assess remaining life
• Applies API/ASME 579 "Fitness-for-Service" through practical examples to analyze degraded conditions and make cost-effective repair or use-as-is decisions
• Applies the step-by-step 3-level approach of API/ASME 579 to evaluate inspection results and recognize potential failure modes
• Technical basis for reliability-based (risk-based) evaluation of remaining life
• Latest developments in defect assessment techniques, starting with simple rules (level 1) and progressing to the more comprehensive evaluation techniques (level 3)
• Participants will be able to evaluate the structural integrity of corroded or damaged equipment, and assess their remaining life. Degradation mechanisms include: brittle fracture, general metal loss, local wall thinning, pitting, blisters and laminations, mechanical defects (dents, gouges, misalignment, and distortion), crack-like flaws (stress corrosion cracking, weld flaws, crack-like defects), fatigue, and fire damage

Training Methodology

The training methodology is interactive with group exercises and is suitable for all employees involved in functions management. The pace and level of the training workshop is customized to the understanding of the delegates. Ongoing back-up and support is available after the training on request to the supplier, and the training course is also available for in-house presentation as well as for “Competency Transfer”.

Who Should Attend?

• Maintenance and production supervisors and engineers who require an understanding of the Fitness-For-Service standard
• Design and system engineers
• Inspectors, project and maintenance engineers who are personally responsible for the reliable design, operation, maintenance and repair of equipment, systems, tanks, vessels, piping and pipelines

Course Outline

• Introduction o Overview of the American Petroleum Institute (API) codes and standards o Overview of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers codes and standards with historical background
• Fitness For Service

• ANNEX A - Thickness, MAWP & Stress equations for a FFS Assessment o Calculation of tmin, MAWP & Membrane Stress o Pressure Vessel & End Caps

• NDE techniques o PT, VT, MT, ET, UT, RT
• Part 3 - Brittle Fracture o Data Requirements

• Part 4 - General Metal Loss

• Part 5 - Local Metal Loss

• Part 6 - Pitting Corrosion

• Part 7 - Hydrogen Blisters, HIC & SOHIC

• Part 8 - Weld Misalignment & Shell Distortions

• Part 9 - Cracks & Crack-Like Flaws

• Part 10 - Creep

• Part 11 - Fire Damage

• Software review

• Overview and Wrap Up