Risk-based inspection improves safety of pressure equipment

Journal Article · Mon Jan 16 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6681137

Reynolds, J T ^[1]

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1. Shell Oil Co., Houston, TX (United States)

Refiners and petrochemical producers spend millions of dollars each year trying to improve the mechanical-integrity record of the processing industry. But the challenge lies in determining where to focus the industry's limited resources to effect the largest impact on equipment safety. A new risk-based inspection program has been developed to help processors determine the highest-risk equipment and design an inspection program that not only finds corrosion, but also reduces the risk of equipment failure. Engineers know that all equipment contains flaws. Fortunately, most flaws are innocuous and comprise what might be referred to as a ''fortuitous collection'' of flaws. The processing industry's equipment also contains many flaws: most are harmless, a few might lead to leaks, and extremely few may lead to catastrophic failures. The challenge is to cost-effectively find those few critical flaws that could lead to major failures. The paper describes this risk-based inspection method using a hypothetical case of a refinery gas fractionation plant.

• OSTI ID: 6681137
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 93:3; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020600* -- Petroleum-- Health & Safety
CHEMICAL PLANTS
CLASSIFICATION
CONTAINERS
DIAGRAMS
ENGINEERING
FLOWSHEETS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INSPECTION
PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PRESSURE VESSELS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS