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Contents
Contents..................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 4
2 Abbreviations......................................................................................................................... 5
3 Condition Monitoring Location (CML).................................................................................5
3.1 CML for Pressure Vessel, Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Air Cooled Heat Exchangers and
Waste Heat Recover Unit......................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 CML Monitoring....................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 CML Selection......................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 CML for Piping......................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 CML Monitoring....................................................................................................................... 7
3.5 CML Selection......................................................................................................................... 7
3.6 Condition Monitoring Location Techniques..............................................................................8
3.6.1 Pressure Vessel, Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Air Cooled Heat Exchanger and Waste
Heat Recovery Unit................................................................................................................. 8
3.6.2 Piping...................................................................................................................................... 9
4 NDE Equipment Calibration Certificate & Personnel Qualifications...............................10
5 CML Marking at Site............................................................................................................ 10
6 Recommended Extent of CML Coverage...........................................................................12
7 Risk Based Inspection Software Post Inspection Data Commissioning........................13
8 Future Inspection................................................................................................................ 13
9 Condition Monitoring Location Numbering Sequence.....................................................13
9.1 Static Equipment................................................................................................................... 13
9.2 Piping Circuit......................................................................................................................... 14
APPENDIX A............................................................................................................................................. 15
Baseline Condition Monitoring Locations (CMLs) for Pressure Vessel..............................................15
APPENDIX B............................................................................................................................................. 19
Baseline Condition Monitoring Locations (CMLs) for Piping......................................................................19
1 Introduction
Baseline condition refers to the physical characteristics of plant and equipment, typically before
being brought into service. It is especially important for understanding the results of NDE
inspection programs, where inspection results can be compared to the baseline measurements.
Baseline Thickness Measurement is required to ensure fabrication and construction accuracy and
to provide the Owner data to monitor corrosion through the life of the equipment/piping. For
example if baseline inspections were not performed or documented, nominal thickness may be
used for the original thickness. This assumption can significantly impact the calculated corrosion
rate early in the equipment life.
For the Risk Based Inspection project, baseline condition monitoring survey shall be carried out
for piping and static equipment prior to its commissioning. A baseline condition monitoring survey
for as-built piping and static equipment is an important exercise where wall thickness inspection is
carried out at selected measurement locations and these measurements were recorded for future
inspection. Comparisons between baseline and subsequent follow-up inspections will provide a
trending of corrosion rate and overall understanding of corrosion activities. The corrosion rate can
be use to estimate remaining life of the equipment and piping. Due to a large volume of work
involved, baseline condition monitoring inspection is usually carried out toward the end of topside
fabrication. This is to take advantage of the availability of fabricator’s scaffolding at site to access
the Condition Monitoring Locations (CMLs). Normally, number of CMLs for baseline thickness
survey is far greater than monitored CMLs in ensuring sufficient baseline data for future trending.
The work involved for this project is as follow but not limited to:
To select Condition Monitoring Location (CML) and develop inspection guidelines for baseline
condition monitoring survey at identified areas.
To prepare mark-up drawings based on piping isometric and equipment drawings to indicate
inspection Condition Monitoring Location (CML). To ease the process, the mark-up drawing
can be prepared before baseline thickness reading has been taken.
To carry out baseline thickness survey at selected inspection CMLs
Preparation of Inspection drawings
Mark up of CMLs on General Assembly drawing for equipment
Mark up of CMLs on isometric drawing for piping
To draw new drawings and mark up all CMLs if the drawings are not available
To upload the baseline inspection data into Thickness Monitoring Module in Meridium
software
Re-validate readings for any abnormal readings
Baseline inspection was carried out on all equipment while for pressure vessel and piping
systems mainly focused on typical High Risk systems such as System 01: Wellhead control panel
interface, gas production wellhead, and crude production wellhead. Medium-high risk systems
such as System 22: Gas dehydration and for lower risk systems such as System 55: Process
Cooling water & service water etc. The CMLs shall be increased for High Risk Systems,
fewer/reduced on Medium Risk and can be eliminated for Low Risk systems.
2 Abbreviations
3.1 CML for Pressure Vessel, Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Air Cooled Heat Exchangers
and Waste Heat Recover Unit.
CMLs are designated areas on pressure vessels, shell and tube heat exchanges and air cooled
heat exchangers where periodic examinations are conducted to monitor the presence and rate of
damage. The type of CML selected and placement of CMLs shall consider the potential for
localized corrosion and service-specific damage mechanism as specified in API 571 and API 572.
The examples of CML include locations for thickness measurement, locations for stress cracking
examinations and locations for high temperature hydrogen attack examinations.
1. Each pressure vessel, shell and tube heat exchanger, air cooled heat exchanger and waste
heat recover unit shall be monitored by performing a representative number of examinations
at CMLs to satisfy the requirements for an internal or on-stream inspection. For example, the
thickness for all major components (shells, heads, cone sections) and a representative
sample of vessel nozzles should be measured and recorded. Corrosion rates, the remaining
life, next inspection interval and Maximum Allowable Working Pressure should be calculated
to determine the limiting component.
2. Pressure vessels, shell and tube heat exchangers, air cooled heat exchangers and waste
heat recover unit with high potential consequences if failure should occur, and those subject
to higher corrosion rates, localized corrosion, and high rates of damage from other
mechanisms, will normally have more CMLs and be monitored more frequently. The rate of
corrosion/damage shall be determined from successive measurements and the next
inspection interval appropriately established.
3. Where thickness measurements are obtained at CMLs, the minimum thickness at a CML can
be located by ultrasonic measurements or profile radiography for small diameter piping.
Electromagnetic techniques also can be used to identify thin areas that may then be
measured by ultrasonic techniques or profile radiography. Additionally, for localized corrosion,
it is important that examinations are conducted using scanning methods such as profile
radiography, scanning ultrasonic techniques, and/or other suitable NDE techniques that will
reveal the scope and extent of localized corrosion. When scanning with ultrasonic, scanning
consists of taking several thickness measurements at the CML searching for localized
thinning.
4. The thinnest reading or an average of several measurement readings taken within the area of
an examination point shall be recorded and used to calculate the corrosion rates.
5. CMLs and examination points should be permanently recorded, (e.g. marked on inspection
drawings and/or on the equipment with stickers at the discretion of the owner) to allow
repetitive measurements at the same CMLs. Repeating measurements at the same location
improves accuracy of the calculated damage rate.
1. A decision on the type, number, and location of the CMLs should consider results from
previous inspections, the patterns of corrosion and damage that are expected and the
potential consequence of loss of containment. CMLs should be distributed appropriately over
the vessel to provide adequate monitoring coverage of major components and nozzles.
Thickness measurements at CMLs are intended to establish general and localized corrosion
rates in different sections of the equipment. A minimal number of CMLs are acceptable when
the established corrosion rate is low and the corrosion is not localized. For pressure vessels,
shell and tube heat exchangers and air cooled heat exchangers susceptible to localized
corrosion, corrosion specialists should be consulted about the appropriate placement and
number of CMLs.
2. CMLs may be eliminated or the number significantly reduced when the probability of failure is
low, e.g. Clean noncorrosive hydrocarbon service, or the consequence of failure is low. In
circumstances where CMLs will be substantially reduced or eliminated, a corrosion specialist
should be consulted.
3. CMLs are specified at head, shell, reducer, channel, bonnet, headers and selected nozzles
as below:
Each ends of a shell element including boot area
Center and knuckle part of head
Neck area of a nozzle. For forged weld nozzle, inspection is specified at thinner part
of nozzle wall
Each ends and middle part of a reducer (applicable to launcher and receiver)
Bottom plate, and roof plate of a tank
Each plates (top, bottom, end, tube sheet & plug sheet) of headers for air cooled heat
exchanger.
Shell plates for waste heat recover unit.
4. The detailed readings obtained on the selected test points and the corresponding inspection
drawings that were prepared to show the location of the inspection points are compiled in
Appendix A.
CMLs are specific areas along the piping circuit where inspections are to be made. The nature of
the CML varies according to its location in the piping system. The selection of CMLs shall
consider the potential for localized corrosion and service-specific corrosion as described in API
574 and API 571. Examples of different types of CMLs include locations for thickness
measurement, locations for stress cracking examinations, locations for CUI and locations for high
temperature hydrogen attack examinations.
1. Each piping system shall be monitored at CMLs. Piping circuits with high potential
consequences of failure should occur and those subject to higher corrosion rates or localized
corrosion will normally have more CMLs and be monitored more frequently. CMLs should be
distributed appropriately throughout each piping circuit. CMLs may be eliminated or the
number reduced under certain circumstances, such as olefin plant cold side piping,
anhydrous ammonia piping, clean noncorrosive hydrocarbon product, or high-alloy piping for
product purity. In circumstances where CMLs will be substantially reduced or eliminated,
person knowledgeable in corrosion should be consulted.
2. The minimum thickness at each CML can be located by ultrasonic scanning or profile
radiography for small diameter piping. Electromagnetic techniques also can be used to
identify thin areas that may then be measured by UT or radiography. When accomplished
with UT, scanning consists of taking several thickness measurements at the CML searching
for localized thinning. The thinnest reading or an average of several measurement readings
taken within the area of an examination point shall be recorded and used to calculate
corrosion rates, remaining life, and the next inspection interval.
3. Where appropriate, thickness measurements should include measurements at each of the
four quadrants on pipe and fittings, with special attention to the inside and outside radius of
elbows and tees where corrosion/erosion could increase corrosion rates. As a minimum, the
thinnest reading and its location shall be recorded. The rate of corrosion/damage shall be
determined from successive measurements and the next inspection interval appropriately
established. Corrosion rates, the remaining life, maximum allowable working pressure and
next inspection interval should be calculated to determine the limiting component of each
piping circuit.
4. CMLs should be marked on inspection drawings and on the piping system to allow repetitive
measurements at the same CMLs. This recording procedure provides data for more accurate
corrosion rate determination. The rate of corrosion/damage shall be determined from
successive measurements and the next inspection interval appropriately established based
on the remaining life or RBI analysis.
1. In selecting or adjusting the number and locations of CMLs, the inspector should take into
account the patterns of corrosion that would be expected and have been experienced in the
process unit. A decision on the type, number and location of the CMLs should consider
results from previous inspections, the patterns of corrosion and damage that are expected
and the potential consequence of loss of containment. CMLs should be distributed
appropriately over the piping system to provide adequate monitoring coverage of major
components and nozzles. Thickness measurements at CMLs are intended to establish
general and localized corrosion rates in different sections of the piping circuits.
2. A number of corrosion processes common to refining and petrochemical units are relatively
uniform in nature, resulting in a fairly constant rate of pipe wall reduction independent of
location within the piping circuit, either axially or circumferentially. Inspectors must use their
knowledge of the process unit to optimize the CML selection for each circuit, balancing the
effort of collecting the data with the benefits provided by the data.
3. Every CML should have at least one or more examination points identified. Examples include:
locations marked on un-insulated pipe using paint stencils, metal stencils, or stickers
holes cut in the insulation and closed with aluminum cover (inspection window)
temporary insulation covers for fittings nozzles, etc.
isometrics or documents showing CMLs
4. Careful identification of CMLs and examination points are necessary to enhance the accuracy
and repeatability of the data. Corrosion specialists should be consulted about the appropriate
placement and number of CMLs for piping systems susceptible to localized corrosion or
cracking, or in circumstances where CMLs will be substantially reduced or eliminated.
5. CML for piping and riser were commonly selected at elbow, tee, reducer, cap and straight
pipe. In general, the CML are specified at following locations and experience following
condition:
High velocity and turbulence areas i.e. reducer, straight pipe after reducer and
downstream of valves
Areas subjected to flow impingement i.e. elbow, bend, and tee
Low areas of piping, header and drain
Areas where water could be collected and accumulated
Downstream of block valve
Top and bottom part of manifold
Bottom part of a large header where liquid velocity is the lowest
Vessel overhead piping i.e. first outlet bend or elbow
Vessel drain and vent piping to isolating valve
Downstream of pressure Relief valve
Downstream of level control valve
Downstream of pump discharge
Normally No Flow (NNF) piping
6. For future trending of the wall thickness, accessibility to the CMLs should be considered.
Apart from above, the selection of test points should also be based on API 570: Piping
Inspection.
7. The following are not included for the test point or monitoring:
Piping made of Glass reinforced epoxy (GRE)
Threaded elbow and tee
Instrument tubing
8. Piping isometric drawings and equipment general arrangement drawings are marked up with
the test point identification number and location as per site so that these points can be easily
traced back for future inspection.
9. The detailed readings obtained on the selected test points and the corresponding inspection
drawings that were prepared to show the location of the inspection points are compiled in
Appendix B.
In selecting the technique(s) to use during a pressure vessel, shell and tube heat exchanger and
air cooled heat exchanger or piping inspection, the possible types of damage for that equipment
or piping should be taken into consideration. The inspector should consult with a corrosion
specialist or an engineer to help define the type of damage, the NDE techniques and extent of
examination. There might be other NDE that are more appropriate to identify and monitor the
specific type of damage especially on heat exchanger tubes (Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger and
Air Cooled Heat Exchanger) which are not accessible for conventional NDE methods where
specialized NDE such as Eddy current, IRIS or MFL are required.
3.7.1 Pressure Vessel, Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Air Cooled Heat Exchanger and
Waste Heat Recovery Unit.
3.7.2 Piping
All inspection personnel performing the CML for the above NDE activities shall be qualified to
ASNT Level II or PCN Level 2. Other qualification other than NDE such as Field metallographic
replication shall be based on trained and experienced and inspector resume complied by
contractor and approved by the client.
This includes all Subcontractor and Sub-supplier personnel performing the task.
It is the responsibility of the Supplier to ensure that all personnel are qualified and have
demonstrated their ability to use their NDE instrument or metallographic replica
instrument.
Supplier shall submit written qualifications to the Purchaser upon request.
All NDE Equipment used for the baseline CMLs survey shall be supplied with calibration
certificate.
Supplier shall submit manufacturer’s information on the instrument to be used by all UT-
Thickness personnel in gathering this data to the Purchaser for approval. Instrument calibration
records shall be included in the submitted documents.
On coated surfaces, the instrument and transducer will have the capability to minus the
thickness of the coating.
On uncoated surfaces, a dual type transducer or digital type instrument can be used for
the thickness of the equipment and piping.
Radiographic profile techniques are preferred for pipe diameters of NPS 1
and smaller. Ultrasonic thickness measurements taken on small bore pipe smaller (NPS
2 and below) may require specialized equipment (e.g. miniature transducers and/or
curved shoes as well as diameter specific calibration blocks).
2 Tee 9 readings
3 Horizontal & vertical piping 4 readings
4 Cap 1 reading
5 Reducer 4 readings (center part) or 8 readings (at each end
of reducer) depending on length
6 Head 1 reading (center) if no manhole or nozzle
attached to head.
4 readings (knuckle part) for ellipsoidal and
torispherical heads.
7 Shell cylinder 4 readings next to each end of the shell element
per cylinder.
8 Nozzle/Manhole 4 readings
9 Header box for air cooled heat End plates ( both sides) – 2 readings
exchanger Tube sheet plate – 2 readings
Plug sheet plate – 2 readings
Top plate- 2 readings
Bottom plate – 2 readings
10 Waste Heat Recover Unit Shell plates(four sides including plenum) – 8
readings and 4 readings each per nozzle
11 Heating Medium Drain Down Top plate - 6 readings
Tank Bottom plate - 6 readings
Side plate (near side) - 7 readings
Side plate (far side) - 7 readings
End plate (near side) - 3 readings
End plate (far side) - 3 readings
Sump – 4 readings
Nozzles (neck) - 4 readings each
The thickness reading locations are standardized such that the locations can still be traced if the
inspection sticker is no longer presence or missing. The reading locations are standardized as
below:
For horizontal component, 12 o’clock position represents top most position while for vertical
component; 12 o’clock position represents platform north direction.
6 Recommended Extent of CML Coverage
Corrosion specialist should be consulted about the appropriate placement and number of CMLs
for piping, pressure vessels, shell and tube heat exchanger and air cooled heat exchanger
susceptible to general/ localized corrosion or cracking where CMLs will be substantially reduced
or eliminated (Table 6.1).
8 Future Inspection
Future inspection or follow-up inspection is to be carried out with the following consideration:
1. Inspection Reference Plan (IRP)
2. History of corrosion monitoring
3. Process changes and upsets
4. Equipment maintenance
5. New damage mechanism identified
a. First letter, P –
b. Second letter, W –, C –2
c. Third letter, M –, W –Support Structure, F -
PWMV1001-002 to
PWMV1001-005 PWMV1001-006 to
PWMV1001-009
PWMV1001-010 to
PWMV1001-013
PWMV1001-014 to
PWMV1001-017
PWMV1001-018 to
PWMV1001-021
PWMV1001-022 to
PWMV1001-025
PWMV1001-026 to
PWMV1001-029
PWMV1001-030 to
PWMV1001-033
PWMV1001-034 to
PWMV1001-037
PWMV1001-038 to
PWMV1001-041
PWMV1001-042
PWMV9830-030
PWMV9830-001
PWMV9830-010 to
PWMV9830-013
PWME1040-004 PWME1040-002
PWME1040-003
Header 2
PWME1040-005
PWME1040-008 PWME1040-006
PWME1040-007
NOTE: One UT reading at the center of cap irrespective of horizontal or vertical cap.