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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
Well look at some of
these in more detail
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INJECTION POINTS
Why is particular inspection attention (and TMLs)
needed at
injection points ?
.and what are TMLs anyway
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12in or 3D upstream
2
nd
change of
flow
direction
downstream (or
7.6m after the
first change)
INJECTION POINT
INSPECTION AREAS
This area is
known as:The
IPC(injection
point circuit)
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API 570 INSPECTION METHODS
Internal
visuals
TMLs
(4 quadrants)
External
visual
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DEADLEGS
Deadleg
Corrosion rates are
higher
around deadlegs
Redundant deadlegs
should be removed
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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
Mist from
cooling towers
Near steam vents
and deluge systems
Acid vapours
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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 damaged)

Piping systems with damaged wrappings
CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)
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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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The API 570 rule is that you should inspect
areas for CUI where the insulation is damaged
CORROSION UNDER
INSULATION (CUI)
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RECOMMENDED EXTENT OF CUI
EXAMINATION(BY CLASS)

Type of circuit
% 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%
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EROSION AND EROSION-CORROSION
LOCATIONS
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Control valves (especially when there is flash-off
Orifice plate
Pump discharges
Elbows
Pipe features that produce turbulence
TMLS FOR
EROSION/CORROSION
Downstream of ..
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An
example
EROSION/CORROSION
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Erosion/Corrosion
after flow-restriction
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
D
Max D/2
Repair patch
Not permitted
25mm min radii
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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/consequence
Class 2 : Medium risk
Class 3: Low risk

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MAXIMUM API INSPECTION
INTERVALS (BY CLASS)
Type of circuit Thickness
measurements
External 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 brittle fracture
Explosive vapours after flash-off
H
2
S 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