API Inspections on Expansion Bottles
API Inspections on Expansion Bottles
(OP)
Hey guys,
I am currently working on a plan for required tank and pressure vessel inspections throughout the plant and I had a question for the expansion bottles. Basically, we have these 1 inch lines that connect to a rupture disc which then vents to a small carbon steel expansion bottle when ruptured.
My question is, do these small bottles fall under the jurisdiction of API 510 inspection - meaning external, internal, and on-stream inspections? API 510 seems to define these expansion bottles as out-of-service equipment as they rarely (if ever) see process fluid. In that case, the interval for inspection is based on the years of actual service. However, these expansion bottles are technically always in service, but rarely see process fluid.
Thanks in advance.
I am currently working on a plan for required tank and pressure vessel inspections throughout the plant and I had a question for the expansion bottles. Basically, we have these 1 inch lines that connect to a rupture disc which then vents to a small carbon steel expansion bottle when ruptured.
My question is, do these small bottles fall under the jurisdiction of API 510 inspection - meaning external, internal, and on-stream inspections? API 510 seems to define these expansion bottles as out-of-service equipment as they rarely (if ever) see process fluid. In that case, the interval for inspection is based on the years of actual service. However, these expansion bottles are technically always in service, but rarely see process fluid.
Thanks in advance.





RE: API Inspections on Expansion Bottles
Otherwise, I'd stick a "SeeSnake" camera into the bottle(s) that have had the most R/D's blown, and UT-T the areas that looked the worst on the scope. If those bottle look good, sign off the rest based on 'Similar Service' and be done. Simple, easy, fairly fast Inspx of a simple item.
RE: API Inspections on Expansion Bottles
RE: API Inspections on Expansion Bottles