Application Of Risk Based Inspection Research Articles

Application of Risk-Based Inspection in Olefins Conversion Plant

Inspection strategy is an important activity in processing plants, and one of the key tools used for such strategy is the risk-based inspection (RBI) methodology. Risk-based inspection is a methodology for optimization of inspection strategy. Based on principle of the risk-based inspection methodology in API 581, the risk assessment for vessels and pipelines in olefins conversion plant is carried out. The main failure modes and damage mechanisms of vessels and pipelines are identified. All vessels and pipelines in this plant are prioritized based on the level of risk. Risk reduction measures and optimal inspection strategy are proposed. This application of risk-based inspection will provide reference for the inspection of the olefins conversion plant.

Research and Application of Risk Assessment Methodology for Power Station Boiler Superheaters

Risk-based inspection (RBI) has been applied to good effect in relation to pieces of equipment and pipelines in the petrochemical industry worldwide, but to the best of our knowledge application of RBI to power station boilers has not hitherto been reported. The tubes of the four key components, namely, the economizer, the water-cooling wall, the superheater, and the reheater, are prone to blast due to direct fire heating. Such a blast always causes unplanned shutdown and has severe safety implications. Based on the “API 581-2000” code (Risk-Based Inspection Base Resource), the failure mechanisms of power station boilers have been studied, and the high-temperature smoke erosion factor and high-temperature creep factor have been calculated. Then, considering specific situations in China, such as material quality and extended service, a failure modification factor based on remaining life has been proposed. Finally, two risk assessment projects have been carried out; after delineating the risk levels of the tubes, appropriate management suggestions have been proposed. The obtained data should provide some technical support for the application of RBI to power station boilers.

Application of risk-based inspection for pressurized HC production systems in a Brunei petroleum company

A large number of ageing oil and gas production and evacuation facilities are owned and operated by BSP (Brunei Shell Petroleum). The company is facing the challenge of optimizing the return on inspection efforts in a period of time when more production is required and operating costs have to be minimized. Over recent years significant improvements have been made to BSP's system of planning and performing offshore inspection, in particular concerning the management of hydrocarbon process containment integrity, via a change from a periodic return inspection approach to a risk-based inspection (RBI) approach. This article presents the quantified benefits achieved to date, and the way this process of change has been/is being managed, firstly, to yield the major savings today, and secondly to sustain these gains by setting up processes and systems to support the new way of working. The value of the RBI approach, in terms of its contribution to the company's business drivers, is summarized thus. Cost optimization—the implementation of RBI principles in BSP has reduced the inspection effort (per platform) significantly to a level, which only involves the ‘minimum required’. The move has been to invest more in planning, thereby reducing (eliminating some) offshore execution of work. These benefits have been quantified in Section 3.1. In addition, increased production availability—the approach has assisted in reducing planned shut down times and minimizing unexpected shut downs due to failures. The move has been from shutdown inspection to onstream inspection. These benefits have been quantified in Section 3.2. Finally, safety—has been improved primarily by reducing the likelihood of failures and having fewer inspectors commuting to and working offshore. The move has been to perform focused inspection on hot spots in the system to reduce HC losses. These benefits have been quantified in Section 3.3.