API 570

PIPING INSPECTION

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API 570
Piping Inspection Code

570
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API 570 COVERS IN-SERVICE

INSPECTION OF PIPING
To fit in with the philosophy of ANSI B31.3
DESIGN CODE FOR PROCESS PIPING

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THE SCOPE OF API 570

Mandatory:Almost any
metallic piping system:
Raw and finished oil products
Raw and finished chemical
products
Hydrogen/fuel/flare gas systems
Sour/waste systems etc

Optional:
Water,steam and
condensate
Piping related to
mechanical equipment
(pumps/compressors
etc)
Pressure vessels
Domestic sewers etc
Everything< in dia
Non-metallic piping

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API 570 INSPECTION

PRACTICES
Checks are needed for specific types of corrosion and cracking:
1. Injection points
2. Dead legs
3. CUI
4. Soil /Air(S/A) interfaces
5. Erosion and erosion/corrosion
6. SCC
7. Corrosion under linings
8. Fatigue cracking
9. Creep cracking
10. Brittle fracture
11. Freeze damage

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Well look at some of

these in more detail

INJECTION POINTS

Why is particular inspection attention (and TMLs)

needed at
injection points ?

.and what are TMLs anyway

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INJECTION POINT
INSPECTION AREAS
12in or 3D upstream

This area is
known
as:The
IPC(injectio
n point
circuit)
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2nd change of
flow
direction
downstream
(or 7.6m after
the first
change)

API 570 INSPECTION METHODS

External
visual

Intern
al
visual
s

TMLs
(4 quadrants)

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DEADLEGS
Corrosion rates are
higher
around deadlegs

Redundant deadlegs
should be removed

Deadleg

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CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)

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CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)

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CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)

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CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)
Almost total
wastage of bolts

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CORROSION UNDER INSULATION (CUI)

API identifies the areas that are most

susceptible to CUI
Near steam vents
and deluge systems
Mist from
cooling towers

Acid vapours

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CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)

All LCS pipework operating continually

at 4<t<120 degC

LCS pipework operating> 120 degC BUT INTERMITTENTLY

Austenitic Stainless steel at 65-205 DegC (for SCC)

Piping systems that vibrate a lot (insulation becomes dama

Piping systems with damaged wrappings

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CORROSION UNDER FIXED LININGS

In general ,API does
not require removal of
linings for
inspectionsAS LONG
AS THE LINING IS IN
GOOD CONDITION

BUT

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SOIL/AIR INTERFACES

All interfaces without cathodic protection

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CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)

The API 570 rule is that you should

inspect areas for CUI where the
insulation is damaged
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RECOMMENDED EXTENT OF CUI

EXAMINATION(BY CLASS)
% NDT on
areas with
damaged
insulation

% NDT on
suspect areas
within CUI
temperature
range

Class 1

75%

50%

Class 2

50%

33%

Class 3

25%

10%

Type of
circuit

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EROSION AND EROSIONCORROSION

LOCATIONS

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TMLS FOR
EROSION/CORROSION
Downstream of ..

Control valves (especially when there is flashOrifice plate

Pump discharges
Elbows
Pipe features that produce turbulence
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EROSION/CORROSION

An
example

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Erosion/Corrosio
n after flowrestriction
features

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STRESS
CORROSION
CRACKING (SCC)
Rule:
In most circumstances,SCC is
due to

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SCC ON A GAS PIPELINE

COMPONENT

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SCC ON A GAS PIPELINE

COMPONENT

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What is this?

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API 570 GUIDE ON

REPAIR PATCHES

25mm min radii

Repair patch

Max D/2

Not permitted
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API 570 GUIDE ON REPAIR

PATCHES

Requires a full repair sleeve

Min 2D

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API 570 INSPECTION

INTERVALS
The maximum permitted interval
depends on pipe class

Class 1:Highest risk/consequen

Class 2 :
Class 3:

Medium risk
Low risk

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MAXIMUM API INSPECTION

INTERVALS (BY CLASS)
Type of circuit

Thickness
External
measurements visual

Class 1

5 years

5 years

Class 2

10 years

5 years

Class 3

10 years

10 years

Injection
points

3 years

By class

S/A interfaces

By class

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API 570 PIPING

CLASSES

Class 1

Flammable services/flash-off leading to brittl

Explosive vapours after flash-off
H2S gaseous
Hydroflouric acid
Piping over public roads
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API 570 PIPING

CLASSES

Class 2
Most other process piping
On-site hydrocarbons
H2, fuel gas and natural gas
On-site acid and caustics

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API 570 PIPING

CLASSES

Class 3
Fluids that will not
flash off (even if they
are flammable)
Distillate/product
storage/loading lines
Off-site acids and
caustics
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API 570 SUMMARY

API 570 specifies the main points to look

for
Remember the pipe classes (and their
inspection periods)
Simple wall thickness determination

570
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