Pressure equipment after fire
Pressure equipment after fire
(OP)
Are there any regulations for pressure equipment bulit acc. to ASME-Code which was fire-destroyed? Must all be replaced by the new ones?
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Pressure equipment after fire
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RE: Pressure equipment after fire
If you're asking about steps that can be taken to determine if a fire damaged vessel can be put back into service the answer is yes. I don't know the its specifics but API-RP 579, Fitness-for-Service, may provide some criteria to go by. At the ABSOLUTE minimum an MAWP based pressure test should be performed.
Depending on your circumstances, it you do it "right" you could easily spend more time and money performing the evaluations than going with a new/undamaged vessel. Then there's always the liability factor to consider.
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
My first "big incident" was an explosion which rattled the windows in my apartment 35 miles away... Only one vessel in that refinery was replaced due to damage (I replaced a few others for debottlenecking the units).
Get a copy of API-579 for some guidance; in the mean time, start taking hardness readings of the affected steel. Steel which was protected by insulation will most likely be ok. Piping which had process fluid running through it for the duration of the event will most likely be ok. Replace gaskets and studs on flanges. Check/replace valve packing. Check platforms (ladders tend to not be damaged) for structural warping, especially the compression flange of structural framing.
'Course there's a distinction between being self-insured and having to deal with insurance agencies, as alluded to in some of the above posts.
jt
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
You suggest taking hardness readings of various components that have been "fire exposed"..
Exposure to fire will increase the hardness readings, of course...
Are there any kind of recognized acceptance criteria for maximum hardness values ?
-MJC
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
I absolutely agree with the suggested tests. However, I need to mention that administration and interpretation of these tests must be done by qualified engineering personnel, otherwise misinterpretation of results and bad conclusions will be reported.
If the OP or their company does not have an understanding of portable hardness testing, or a qualified portable hardness testing procedure along with an experienced materials engineer to interpret the results, then one should be brought in from the outside. IMO, evaluating fire damaged components must be done by qualified professionals.
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
I should have answered your question above. Exposure of PV steels to elevated temperature like those from a fire may not result in increased hardness. In fact, depending on actual conditions in the field, the properties of the steel could change from over tempering, or could change from increased hardness caused by quenching (direct exposure to water spray at elevated temperatures) or could even remain the same. It all boils down to service temperature and cooling rates. Detailed visual and surface NDT should be performed to assure no permanent deformation or cracks from thermal shocking.
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
Sorry, I don't have an answer for you. I always had a qualified metallurgist handling that end of the stick. I skimmed thru API-579 section 11 which is dedicated to FFS of fire exposed equipment and found no guidance for an acceptance criteria.
metengr-
I totally agree. Qualified consultants should be brought in for plants which don't have adequate staff capability. But even those who need consultants can benefit from being familiar with API-579 section 11. Without knowing what the consultant will be looking for, plant personnell will likely clean up the fire damaged area in preparation for rebuilding. This, of course, will destroy much of the visual / physical indicators which the engineers will be looking for to "map out" the extent of the fire zones.
jt
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
Thank you for your responses....
Are there any publications, reports or "white papers" that discuss the technical details on the re-use of fire exposed equipment ?
I would assume that there would be tremendous pressure put on the plant engineering staff by management (hell bent MBAs?) to find some kind of quick evaluation method.
Doe anyone know if there a company that specializes in this kind of inspection ?
Regards......
-MJC
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
I have some Codes and Standards colleagues who work for Hartford, FM and ACE inspection agencies. I would contact their Boiler/Machinery or Loss Prevention groups to obtain this information.
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
Here is my personal experience with ASME Code Section VIII, DIV 1 vessels that have been in "fire" damage areas both offshore and onshore:
1) First if possible get a copy of the UIA, you may need it later.
2) Identify the material via the UIA or if not, logic assumptions can be made via the nameplate information, MFG Date, hydrotest pressure, RT-X and etc.
3) I use a vessel design program and plug the information to get the expected material thickness for the head and shell with an assume liguid level.
4) Do in-depth visual inspection of the discoloration areas. Look for the paint in particular, assuming CS, because different paints degrade at different temperatures. Example Inorganic Zinc, above 900 F starts to deterorate quickly. Point is, do we have a vessel that now went over 1100F for P1 material or not.
5) Hardness reading can be useful for P1, but materials like SA-516-70 you will find the hardness goes down. The reason is if at some temperature above 800F the heat for extended periods removes the cold work from rolling the plate and therefore reduces hardness, i.e. BHN.
6) Best advise given above, get a professional that has documented experience working with AI agency to review and make determinations. At the end of the day, re-hydro test and if necessary, request a R-1. I am sure you will find something to fix.
7) No fast assumptions here when you get into these. Best example is like calling a doctor on the phone and saying "I hurt, what is wrong with me?"; lol. To do this properly you must see the patient and know the service the vessel was in and what the fire media was made up of, like burning by-product in a paper mill can have some nasty stuff in it.
Only my opinion and certainly does not apply to all cases.
Regards,
Allen
Sindel & Associates
www.consulting.awsindel.org
RE: Pressure equipment after fire
Good stuff. Welcome to the forum and thanks for filling out your personal profile! (That's a hint for those of you who haven't bothered... It's at the top left part of your screen.)
jt