Extend Vessel Life By Applying NBIC 3.4

The design margin used to determine allowable stress was reduced from 4.0 to 3.5 in the A99 Addenda of the ASME Code.  This often resulted in thinner, lighter vessels.  At about the same time, the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) introduced rules that allowed the use of these higher allowable stresses when re-rating vessels built to Codes prior to the A99 Addenda.  Doing so effectively makes additional thickness available as corrosion allowance resulting in extended remaining life for older vessels.  INSPECT includes the ability to automatically use the higher allowable stresses per NBIC Section 3.4 as appropriate.  For vessels fabricated prior to 1968, INSPECT automatically uses allowable stresses based on the original design margin of 4.0

How INSPECT Implements NBIC 3.4

When the INSPECT option to re-rate a vessel using NBIC 3.4 is activated the following checks are made. The higher allowable stresses will be applied if the vessel:

  • Is not in lethal service.

  • Was constructed in 1968 or later.

  • Has a rated minimum design metal temperature (MDMT), based on its design pressure, that is adequate.

  • Does not operate in the creep range (high temperature ranges where time dependent material properties govern).

  • Has been shown to be satisfactory to operate at the higher allowable stress by calculation or other means.  INSPECT provides these mandatory calculation reports which include consideration of external loads such as wind and earthquake.

If any of these checks fail, the pre 1999 Addenda stress allowables based on the 4.0 design margin are used. For more information see NBIC 3.4 and  NBIC Interpretation 98-14 questions 4 and 5.

INSPECT Extends Vessel Life by Re-rating Old Pressure Vessels per NBIC 3.4 (RAGAGEP)

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Extending Vessel Life by Applying NBIC 3.4 in 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

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