API 510 Pressure Vessel Evaluations Using INSPECT

Pressure vessel Mechanical Integrity (MI) calculations and Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments are derived from the equipment’s original Code of Construction.  INSPECT is built on Codeware’s flagship COMPRESS program and its ASME calculation engine.  Because of this, INSPECT supports old ASME Codes of Construction.  Like COMPRESS,  INSPECT provides detailed audit trail reports that show how the minimum thicknesses (tmin‘s) were determined.  For vessels built after 1987, the NBIC often allows the use of the higher allowable stresses permitted by more modern ASME Codes.  INSPECT supports these NBIC rules resulting in extended equipment life and inspection intervals.

INSPECT performs both API 510 tmin calculations and API 579 FFS assessments within one platform.  This eliminates the need for multiple MI and FFS software systems.  With INSPECT, everyone works with the same equipment model ensuring that all departments have the same information.  This eliminates data duplication and reduces the load on IT.  It also eliminates the need to be trained on using multiple software tools.

INSPECT combines mechanical integrity CML's with FFS flaws on ONE equipment model
An INSPECT Undocumented Vessel Mechanical Integrity Report

Mechanical Integrity and Undocumented Pressure Vessels

A key component of any MI program is providing pressure vessel documentation.  INSPECT can assist you with your undocumented pressure vessels.  The INSPECT vessel wizard takes basic information and creates a working model to get you started.

The INSPECT workflow documents undocumented pressure vessels in three easy steps:

  • If you have a COMPRESS or INSPECT model (CW7 file), load it. Otherwise, create a model by entering basic vessel information in the Vessel Wizard.

  • Set up inspection CML’s using INSPECT’s auto CML placement feature. INSPECT supports Excel so thickness grids can be quickly exchanged between Excel and INSPECT.

  • If you have a corrosion history copy and paste it into INSPECT from Excel. Otherwise enter a user defined corrosion rate and run the analysis.

Mechanical Integrity And Nozzle Openings

The proper assessment of nozzles and manways is a vital, but often overlooked, part of any pressure vessel MI inspection plan.

Take, for example, the simple vessel shown on the right.  Normally a few points would be taken on the cylinder and the assessment would be performed.  But in this case the nozzle governs.  This then affects the remaining life of the entire vessel.  INSPECT allows thickness measurements to be entered on and around the nozzle.  This feature allows INSPECT to perform ALL the nozzle calculations required ensuring that both the tmin and area replacement rules are considered.

Nozzle corrosion can be accurately described and assessed per API 510 rules using INSPECT

Increase Your Capabilities With INSPECT

API 579 Part 3 Ensure your operating procedures limit the risk of brittle fracture by automatically running Part 3 assessments. API 579 Part 4 & 5 Perform general and local metal loss assessments and quickly generate detailed reports. API 579 Part 6 INSPECT performs level 1, 2 and 3 pitting assessments and generates detailed API 579 reports with a click of a button. API 579 Part 7 Perform Level 1 and 2 assessments from Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) and Hydrogen Blister damage. API 579 Part 8 Ensure that vessels subject to external pressure are within the allowed roundness tolerance with out-of-roundness assessments. API 579 Part 9 Level 1 and 2 assessments quickly determine which crack-like flaws can be safely left in service and which require more investigation. API 579 Part 10 Perform creep damage assessments by recording equipment operating histories and calculations. API 579 Part 11 Perform fire damage assessments and document conclusions in a consistent series of data entries and reports. API 579 Part 12 Perform Part 12 assessments and generate detailed API 579 reports. Level 1 and 2 dent, gouge and dent-gouge combinations are available. API 579 Part 13 Model laminations and provide rapid results so you can make the necessary mediation decisions with confidence API 579 Part 14 INSPECT’s fatigue assessment scans the vessel for other flaw types and allows the user to adjust the “remaining strength factor” (RSF) as required by API 579. API 510 Address in-service activities such as inspection, remaining life determination and repair. API 570 3D inspection data management and calculations simplify compliance with the requirements of the API-570 Code. API 653 Track tank thickness inspection measurements and provide calculation reports. Gage Integration Set up and retrieve inspection grids from thickness gages fast and easy. OSHA 1910 Meet the Mechanical Integrity requirements of OSHA1910.119 (j) and EPA Title 40 part 68.73. Undocumented Vessels Pressure Vessel Inspection Code requires owners to maintain permanent, progressive records as listed in API 510 Section 7.8 The INSPECT IDMS Show condition monitoring locations (CML’s) and API 579-1 flaws directly on pressure equipment models. Auto-Refrigeration MAT curves are employed to determine which process conditions put equipment at risk of failure by brittle fracture. Old ASME® Codes Supported Increase vessel life automatically by using the higher allowable stresses per NBIC Section 3.4. Pressure Relieving Devices Easily model pressure relieving devices (PRDs) on your fixed equipment. Excel Integration Export and import thickness inspection grids to and from Microsoft Excel. API 579-1 Part 3 MAT Curves API 510 API 570 API 653 Storage Tank Evaulations Thickness Gage Integration in INSPECT OSHA standards in COMPRESS Undocumented Vessels in INSPECT Inspection Data Monitoring System IDMS API 579 Part 9 Codes menu Combined Pitting and Local Metal Loss Flaws are Considered API 579-1 Part 12 dialog INSPECT performs API 579 FFS assessments and shows flaws on the 3D model Minimum Safe Operating Temperature (MSOT) curve in INSPECT API 579-1 Part 10 Creep Damage API 579-1 Part 11 Fire Damage Assessments API 579-1 Part 8 Out of Roundness Easily model pressure relieving devices (PRDs) with INSPECT Excel Integration with INSPECT API 579-1 Part 7 Hydrogen Cracking and Blister Damage API 579-1 Part 13 Lamination Diagram API 579 Part 14 Fatigue - Pressure Fluctuation Cycle