1997 Index Summary
"Announcement" - New Editor, Brad Frates, Joins the Journal Editorial Staff
Brad, inspection Group Supervisor of the Unocal, Kenai Alaska ammonia-urea fertilizer plant complex becomes part of the InspectioneeringTM Journal team.
"Piping Inspection - It’s not Neurosurgery, But.."
By John T. Reynolds, Shell Oil Company and Journal Editor
John reviews many of the reasons, from experience and statistical sources, for failures in process plants. Many leaks are the result of piping failures. He reveals pitfalls of piping inspection and reliability programs and demonstrates solutions with important links to management of change (MOC).
"ASME Post-Construction Committee (PCC) Update"
An update of the December meeting of this committee developing guidelines for the three basic types of risk based inspection, i.e. qualitative, semi-quantitative and fully quantitative. Other important aspects of plant integrity covered by sub-committees are flaw evaluation and inspection planning.
"Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Standards for Vessels"
By John E. Niesse, Consultant
An excellent update on state of the art for inspection codes and industries’ inspection practices for reinforced thermosetting plastic (RTP) vessels. Information on proof testing and inspectors’ responsibilities are included.
"Reliability of Coke Drums - Part One"
By Eivind Johnsen, Lynne Kaley and Andy Tallin DNV Inc.
Part 2 of a 3 part series on the latest in remaining life modeling of delayed coking drums. Various ways to make valuable use of information gained in the field, i.e. strain gage and thermocouple monitoring and measurements with internal laser tools. Engineering stress modeling covers financial repair/replacement figures, when to repair or replace, the extent of repairing and the causes of damage. The effects to skirt and shell damage are studied, especially during preheat, stripping and quenching cycles.
"The American Welding Society (AWS) Offers Portable NDE Central Certification"
A detailed explanation of this new personnel certification program is presented covering penetrant, magnetic, ultrasonic and radiographic areas.
"Letters to the Editor"
Mr. Art Mol, Akzo Nobel Chemicals, the Netherlands - Who Inspects the Inspector?
Mr. Perry Moreno, Koch Refining, Texas - Positive Materials Identification and the Materials Technology Institute.
"Iowa State University Center For NDE Host Review of Quantitative NDE (QNDE) (Call For Papers)
A call for papers and a review of topics to be covered in "The 24th Annual Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation" conference hosted by Iowa State’s Center for NDE.
"Pendulum Effect No. 1"
By Del Underwood, DNV Inc.
Del cautions us to keep an eye out for weighted objects on the ends of vessel and piping projections which, if not properly supported or reinforced could be susceptible to fatigue related cracking. He likens these objects like valves to "a billiard ball on the end of a fly rod". Upcoming issues deal with solutions.
"Locations of Interest on the Net"
By Greg Alvarado, Chief Editor of the IJ
In addition to places to visit an update on connectivity technology covers (ISDN) Integrated Services Digital Network. This is about speed of data transfer over the Net and bandwith.
"NDE Record Keeping - Past Headache Now Powerful Tool!"
By Dennis Smythe and Cathy Shargay, Fluor Daniel Inc.
An article from Fluor Daniel on advances in digital record capture and management of data important to inspection, maintenance and reliability people. Q.C. issues like Field & Shop Productivities, Welding issues and improving success rates of unit construction and modifications.
"Inspection, Maintenance and Engineering Professionals, How Much Do You Know About Equipment in Hydrofluoric (HF) Acid Service?"
A summary of topics covered in NACE Technical Committee report 5A171 on "Materials for Receiving, Handling and Storing Hydrofluoric Acid". Valuable information for materials and inspection professionals.
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"The IJ Offices Have Moved"
Important new contact numbers as the offices moved from Fairfield, California to Houston, Texas.
"Piping Inspection - Improving Thickness Data Taking Accuracy"
By John Reynolds, Shell Oil Company and IJ Editor
John covers, in detail, many important learning experiences at Shell and implementation of improved practices. Important charts compare and demonstrate improvements in accuracy as new practices are implemented.
"RBI Standards Development"
By John T. Reynolds, Shell Oil and Journal Editor
Review of the American Petroleum Institute’s activities in the process of developing RP 580 (Recommended Practice for Risk Based Inspection), revision of the pressure vessel, piping and aboveground storage tank codes, 510, 570 and 653, respectively. This article also covers coordination of efforts between the API RBI activities and parallel ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) efforts.
"Reliability Centered/Focused Maintenance (RCM) and Risk Based Inspection (RBI) - What’s the Connection? How Do They Affect the Inspector?"
By Greg Alvarado, IJ Chief Editor
Greg covers come of the dynamics our industries are experiencing in this time of great change. This includes the role of Inspectioneers, training, management of change. A very important topic facilitating interdependent communications between groups managing key processes such as Risk Based Inspection and Reliability Centered Maintenance, is also explored. A "must read" before charging out to link these processes.
Acoustic Emission (AE) Joint Industry Project (JIP) Update Provided at Recent NACE Convention
An update on PERF project 95-11, Advanced Acoustic Emission for On-Stream Inspection presented at NACE Acoustic Emission Committee, T-3L-14 meeting in march at the New Orleans NACE annual convention. Accurate Source Location, fitness for service links, reliable source discrimination, field-testing and procedures were covered by Dr. David Wang from Shell Oil.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Inspector Certification Program Status
Statistics as of March 19, 1997 are provided for all programs including industries’ distribution.
"Pendulum Effect No. 2"
By Del Underwood, Det Norske Veritas, Inc.
In part 1 in the last issue Del cautions us to keep an eye out for weighted objects on the ends of vessel and piping projections which, if not properly supported or reinforced could be susceptible to fatigue related cracking. He likens these objects like valves to "a billiard ball on the end of a fly rod". Upcoming issues deal with solutions. In this issue solutions are graphically presented.
"Florida EPA and Aboveground Storage Tanks"
Short news article updating readers on regulators’ views on single bottom lined versus double bottomed tanks.
"Subscription Survey Says IJ On-track also Indicates Many Questions Remain in the US Regarding PSM compliance for Mechanical Integrity"
Survey results on interests of the chemical, refining and utility industries in the areas of inspection, fitness for service, furnace tubes, remaining life of equipment, regulatory compliance issues, corrosion under insulation and risk based inspection.
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1996 API Inspector Certification Program Highlight
Summary of the Pressure Vessel (510), Piping (570), and Aboveground Storage Tank (653) Inspector Certification program, to date.
"Effective MOC - The Vital Link in Process Piping Integrity"
by John T. Reynolds, Shell Oil Company, IJ Editor
Management of change (MOC), and the connection of pressure vessel and piping inspection programs are covered. Mr. Reynolds provides guidance in developing an effective MOC program.
Turnaround Planning Using Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) Analysis
By Sheilandra Gupta and John E. Paisie, Sun Oil Co.
Mr. Gupta outlines Sun Oil implementation of RAM analysis to impact inspection related activities and decision making. Case histories of the impact on inspection planning and impact turnaround time are included.
NACE Corrosion / 97 Conference Highlights
Summaries of chemical, refining and oil and gas industry committee meetings. Release of various reference documents and status of others are included.
"Results of Degassing of Refinery Steel Components Prior to Welding - Some Field Observations", (Part 1)
By Terry McLane, Frontier Refining, Cheyenne, WY
Terry shares lessons learned in the different techniques and procedures for removing hydrogen, trapped in the steel during service, prior to repair welding.
"Remaining Life Prediction for Reformer Catalyst Tubes"
By John Brear, John Williamson, & Bobby Wright, Jr. PE, ERA Technology Inc.
Points to consider when performing a remaining life anaysis of furnace and heater tubes.
New Inspection Technique for Natural Gas Pipelines Patented
Announcement of a technology being developed by NIST for detecting cracks and measruing wall thickness in gas pipelines.
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Recap of API Inspector Certification Exam Results
By Roland Goodman, American Petroleum Institute
Statistics on certification passing rates from 1989 through 1996.
"Differentiating Original Equipment defects From In-Service Damage"
By Ricardo R. Valbuena and Lynne Kaley, DNV Inc.
The authors present a flexible, comprehensive approach to determining the integrity and fitness for service of equipment in chemical and refinery plants. Includes NDE (advanced and traditional), fitness for service, and various damage mechanisms. Inspection planning and risk based inspection use are included.
"Results of Degassing of Refinery Steel components Prior to Welding" - Some Field Observations (Part 2)
By Terry McLane, Frontier Refinery, Cheyenne, WY
Terry shares more lessons learned in the different techniques and procedures for removing hydrogen, trapped in the steel during service, prior to repair welding.
Locations of Interest on the Net
By Greg Alvarado, Chief Editor
A short article on processing speeds of computers and locations of interest to inspection and materials professionals on the Internet.
"Plant Condition Management Strategies", (Part 1)
By Michael Twomey, Conam Inspection Inc., Jay Rothbart, Conam PCMS
Points to consider in the choice of an effective equipment (inspection) information management system.
Pendulum Effect No. 3
By Del Underwood, Det Norske Veritas, Inc. Houston, TX
How to avoid and find potential areas of fatigue cracking due to improper or inadequate support.
Letters to the Editor - Tracking and Trending of Inspection Program Performance
By David Yeats, Fina Oil Refining
A subscriber shares his challenges in trending piping thickness monitoring versus piping leaks and asks the IJ for benchmarking practices references. Answer includes cost benefit considerations and the impact of Risk based Inspection to provide the information desired.
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“"Is That the Latest computer Game? No, It’s a 3-D Model of Your Refinery?", (Part 1)
By Moh Hashemi and Cathy Shargay, Fluor Daniel, Irvine, CA
One system for transforming pictures and measurements into 3 dimensional models of processing plants/units.
"Risk Based Inspection (RBI) - What’s Best for You? Know Your Objectives & Look for Substance!"
Editorial by Greg Alvarado, Chief Editor
Important factors to consider and steps to take when choosing an RBI technology, working process and establishing an effective program.
"Plant Condition Management Strategies", (Part 2)
By Michael Twomey, Conam Inspection Inc., Jay Rothbart, Conam PCMS
Points to consider in the choice of an effective equipment (inspection) information management system. Historical data, TML’s (thickness monitoring locations), and circuitizing are covered.
"Piping Inspection Thickness Corrosion Monitoring With Profile Radiography", (Part 1)
By John T. Reynolds, Shell Oil Company, IJ Editor
John explains the effects of geometric blow-up and image distortion and compensation along with the use of the image quality indicator in this part of a series on piping inspection programs.
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"Is That the Latest Computer Game? 3 Dimensional Computer/Photo Modeling of Process Units", (Part 2)
By Moh Hashemi and Cathy Shargay, Fluor Daniel, Inc., Irvine, CA
One system for transforming pictures and measurements into 3 dimensional models of processing plants/units. Benefits in refinery and processing units are demonstrated.
"Reliability of Coke Drums", (Part 3)
By Eivind Johnsen, Lynne Kaley and Andy Tallin DNV Inc. Houston, TX
Strategies for effective repair and replacement and financial modeling are covered.
"The Way of the Future? Digitzation of Radiographic Information"
By Dave Palmbach, DBA Systems, Inc.
The "Why’s", "How’s", benefits and limitations of radiographic digitization are explained.
Piping Inspection Thickness and Corrosion Monitoring With Profile Radiography", (Part 2)
By John T. Reynolds, (IJ Editor), Mark Bell, Jim Haupt, Shell Oil Company
John covers pit depth, contrast and film exposure, accuracies, training and benchmarking.
"Update on PERF Advanced NDE Projects"
By Emery Lendvai-Lintner, Exxon Research & Engineering Company
An update of joint industry development programs on "Global Piping Inspection", "Piping Support Inspection", Advanced NDE for Heat Exchanger Tubular Inspection are provided.
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