In-Service Inspection of Pressure Vessels
RPA provides the in-service inspection activities for pressure vessels and the pressure-relieving devices protecting these vessels. Our services apply to all hydrocarbon and chemical process vessels that have been placed in service. it could also be applied to process vessels in other industries at owner/user discretion.
The intent of this service is the in-service inspection and providing condition-monitoring program that is needed to determine the integrity of pressure vessels and pressure-relieving devices. The program provide reasonably accurate and timely assessments to determine if any changes in the condition of pressure equipment could compromise continued safe operation. The owner/users shall respond to any inspection results that require corrective actions to assure the continued safe operation of pressure vessels and pressure-relieving devices.
All pressure vessels used for Exploration and Production service [e.g. drilling, producing, gathering, transporting, lease processing, and treating liquid petroleum, natural gas, and associated salt water (brine)] may be inspected under the alternative rules.
For inspection planning and engineering assessment of in-service pressure vessels, API 510 inspection code has been used which recognizes the applicability of Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessment and risk-based inspection (RBI) methodologies.
In-Service Inspection of Piping Systems
RPA provides the in-service inspection process for metallic and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) piping systems and their associated pressure relieving devices that have been placed in service. Our services apply to all hydrocarbon and chemical process piping that have been placed in service. it could also be applied to piping systems in other industries and other services at owner/user discretion.
The intent of this service is the in-service inspection and providing condition-monitoring program as well as repair guidance that is needed to determine the on-going integrity of piping systems. The program provide reasonably accurate and timely assessments to determine if any changes in the condition of piping could possibly compromise continued safe operation. The owner/users shall respond to any inspection results that require corrective actions to assure the continued integrity of piping consistent with appropriate risk analysis.
For inspection planning and engineering assessment of in-service piping systems, API 570 inspection code has been used which recognizes the Fitness-For-Service concepts for evaluating in-service damage of pressure containing piping components and RBI concepts for determining inspection intervals or due dates and strategies.
In-Service Inspection of Storage Tanks
RPA offers the in-service inspection for maintaining the integrity of steel storage tanks built to API 650 and its predecessor API 12C after they have been placed in service. However this service may apply to any steel tank constructed in accordance with a tank specification based on consideration of specific construction and operating details at owner/user discretion.
For inspection planning and engineering assessment of in-service storage tanks, EEMUA 159 and API 653 standard has been used which recognizes the Fitness-For-Service concepts for evaluating in-service degradation of pressure containing components.
Tube & Heat Exchanger Inspection
RPA could offer a variety of techniques for Tube and Heat Exchanger Inspection including Remote Field, IRIS Ultrasound and Near Field Testing.
Eddy Current Inspection (High Speed for Condensers)
Eddy Current Testing is a non-contact method used to inspect non ferromagnetic tubing. This technique is suitable for detecting and sizing metal discontinuities such as corrosion, erosion, wear, pitting, baffle cuts, wall loss, and cracks in nonferrous materials.
Two coils are excited with an electrical current, producing a magnetic field around them. The magnetic fields penetrate the tube material and generate opposing alternating currents in the material. These currents are called eddy currents. Any defects that change the eddy current flow also change the impedance of the coils in the probe. These changes in the impedance of the coils are measured and used to detect defects in the tube.
Magnetic Flux Leakage
Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) is a fast inspection technique, suitable for measuring wall loss and detecting sharp defects such as pitting, grooving, and circumferential cracks. MFL is effective for aluminum-finned carbon steel tubes, because the magnetic field is almost completely unaffected by the presence of such fins.
Remote Field Testing
Remote Field Testing (RFT) is being used to successfully inspect ferromagnetic tubing such as carbon steel or ferrite stainless steel. This technology offers good sensitivity when detecting and measuring volumetric defects resulting from erosion, corrosion, wear, and baffle cuts.
IRIS Ultrasound
The Ultrasonic IRIS option is used to inspect a wide range of materials, including ferrous, nonferrous, and non-metallic tubing. This technique detects and sizes wall loss resulting from corrosion, erosion, wear, pitting, cracking, and baffle cuts.
Near Field Testing (NFT)
Near Field Testing (NFT) technology is a rapid and inexpensive solution intended specifically for fin-fan carbon-steel tubing inspection. This new technology relies on a simple driver-pickup eddy current probe design providing very simple signal analysis.
NFT is specifically suited to the detection of internal corrosion, erosion, or pitting on the inside of carbon steel tubing. The NFT probes measure lift-off or “fill factor,” and convert it to amplitude-based signals (no phase analysis). Because the eddy current penetration is limited to the inner surface of the tube, NFT probes are not affected by the fin geometry on the outside of the tubes.
