VCEDamage Software

A Guide Through the Maze of Refinery Damage

With a technical basis in API RP 571 and WRC 489, VCEDamage™ software is a quick reference guide for identifying and understanding the potential damage mechanisms that can cause costly fixed equipment failure.

VCEDamage software encapsulates years of experience of corrosion and materials expertise. Used in refineries worldwide, it is the only software created specifically to help operations, reliability and project managers streamline the process of pinpointing damage mechanisms and potential areas of risk.

Guidance through the damage mechanism selection process
Help in selecting the best inspection method for each type of damage
Simplified Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) that show where damage is likely to occur in a process unit

Click thumbnails to view screenshots.

VCEDamage provides a number of useful tools for the Inspector. This figure shows the Modified McConomy Curves used in the prediction of corrosion related to high-temperature Sulfidation of steels.

For the various damage mechanisms, VCEDamage provides photographs of typical damage to assist in the identification of the damage. The figures (above) show the typical appearance of brittle fracture.

VCEDamage provides Process Flow Diagrams (PFD) for various refinery units showing the typical damage mechanisms that could be present in the unit. This figure shows the PFD for an FCC Light Ends Recovery Unit and indicates which equipment items may be susceptible to Wet H2S Damage and the other damage mechanisms identified in the key.

Software Analysis Capabilities

Materials Tab – A comprehensive materials reference
Text Browser Tab – Displays the WRC 489 -Damage Mechanisms in the Refining Industry (February 2004 )
Solver Tab with Quick Search Feature – Allows the user to quickly search the entire document; sort and filter all damage mechanisms
Look-ups and Conversions Tab
Calculators Tab – Includes easy-to-use tools for HTHA, sulfidation, H2/H2S Corrosion and oxidation
PFD Browser Tab – Presents Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) with hyperlinked buttons

To download a 30-day trial version of VCEDamage Software Version 3.01, please fill out the form in the sidebar.

Featured Expert

Jonathan Dobis
P.E.

Mr. Dobis specializes in practical solutions to corrosion and materials problems in the refining and chemical process industries, with over 25 years of experience...

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Jonathan Dobis, P.E.

Mr. Dobis specializes in practical solutions to corrosion and materials problems in the refining and chemical process industries, with over 25 years of experience. His areas of specialization include all aspects of refinery corrosion, implementation of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) strategies, assessment and repair of damaged equipment, and metallurgical failure analysis. He is one of the few world-wide recognized experts in the realm of corrosion and operation of HF Acid Alkylation Units.

Mr. Dobis is also recognized for his contributions to the understanding of refinery damage mechanisms, and served as project manager and primary author of API RP 571 - Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry. He is an instructor for the API 571 course and has developed the VCEDamage Mechanisms software program which is used by refineries internationally to help all levels of refinery personnel understand the effects of operating conditions on corrosion and other forms of damage.

Mr. Dobis is a Registered Professional Engineer in several states, and is a NACE-Certified Corrosion Specialist with 27 publications and technical conference presentations. He has a BS in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MS in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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