Fitness for Service – Alternatives for equipment validation
Boiler and pressure equipment manufacturers face everyday strict design and manufacturing requirements to supply heat exchangers, pressure vessels or process equipment. The recognized international design and manufacturing codes that are prescribed for this type of equipment (ASME VIII Div. 1 & 2, EN13445, AD2000, etc.) specify those tests, trials, inspections and quality controls to be […]
Cladding in pressure equipment
When dealing with the design of pressure equipment (heat exchangers, reactors, process columns, etc.), we can find certain design and operating conditions for which, in addition to having to guarantee an appropriate structural resistance, we must ensure adequate performance in the presence of corrosive environments or elements. The alternative to the uneconomical solution of using […]
Deformations in storage tanks
When deformations appear in existing storage tanks, both atmospheric and low pressure, which exceed the maximum defined in the API 653 standard, the immediate step is to analyze the serviceability of the equipment (1) to guarantee an acceptable level of safety and accurately determine its remaining life (2) as well. (1) FFS – Fitness For […]
Occurrence of cracks in pressure equipment
The failure mechanism due to brittle fracture in pressure equipment manifests itself as a rapid and unexpected fracture since it occurs without prior plastic deformation. In order to reduce the risk of brittle breakage, the correct evaluation and inspection of this equipment are essential to detect possible cracks that trigger these failure processes. The usual […]
What is risk-based inspection (RBI)?
Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodology is a quantitative approach for establishing an inspection program using risk-based methods for static pressurized equipment, including pressure vessels, piping, tanks, pressure-relief devices (PRDs), and heat exchanger tube bundles, among others. Content Codes and standards The following RBI international standards and codes are within the most relevant: API 580 – Risk […]
The role of digital twins in decision making in industrial plants
We are currently immersed in one of the greatest challenges, and at the same time longing, of the industrial sector: having the largest and best amount of information possible in relation to its assets, processes and products. Taking the foregoing as a premise, it is therefore essential to obtain, control and analyze fast and reliable […]