VCEInspector Software
Incorporating FFS into Inspection Planning
VCEInspector™ is a collection of VCESage™ modules geared towards code calculations and Fitness-For-Service evaluations of Piping, Pressure Vessels, and Storage Tanks.
VCEInspector includes the VCESage modules APIPE, SHELL and TANK, which perform ASME and API code (and re-rating) calculations for piping, vessels and tanks. The package includes the new VCESage module APIFFS-1, which performs API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 Level 1 Fitness-For-Service calculations on these same fixed equipment items. The package can also be upgraded to include Level 2 FFS capabilities. TANKSETT is another new module in VCEInspector. TANK SETT can be used to evaluate tank shell and bottom settlement in accordance with API 653.
The VCEInspector package can be used standalone or integrated with the latest version of API RBI Software on the new Plant Manager platform, so now it's easy for API RBI users to make a Level 1 Fitness-For-Service assessment part of an inspection planning program.
Here are two examples which show how VCEInspector can be used.
Evaluation of Metal Loss
API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 assessments of metal loss on a pressure boundary component can be performed using the VCEInspector Package. Both general and local metal loss (and pitting) can be evaluated; general metal loss can also be calculated using thickness averaging found in other standards, such as API 510. The graphic on the left shows typical thickness reading data required for a VCEInspector metal loss assessment. The graphic on the right shows the component in this assessment is fit for service at 330 psig (and the assessment temperature of 450ºF).
Click to enlarge.
Evaluation of Crack-Like Flaws
A crack assessment of a pressure component can be performed per API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 Part 9. Typical input is shown in the graphic on the left. Sensitivity of the crack-like flaw to changes in the crack size can be performed automatically. The graphic on the right is example output of crack size sensitivity for the above flaw.
Click to enlarge.
These are just two examples of the many types of Fitness-For-Service assessments that can be performed using VCEInspector.
Dr. Panzarella has years of experience working as a researcher and scientific programmer in academia, industry and government labs. He serves as the technical and management lead on a number of Equity Engineering software applications where he has expanded his expertise to include such areas as structural analysis, solid mechanics, metal creep, thermodynamic prediction of fluid mixture properties and atmospheric dispersion modeling. He is currently improving the analytical capabilities of several software products, ensuring the most accurate and correct results possible.
