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Damage Mechanisms in the Refining Industry

training

Damage Mechanisms in the Refining Industry based on API RP 571
2-1/2 Day Class
Earn 2.0 CEUs

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Course Description

Learn to Identify Damage Mechanisms & Potential Risk Areas

Over the past two decades, API has developed two major technologies to improve fixed equipment reliability in refining. They cover Fitness-For-Service (API 579-1/ASME FFS-1) and Risk-Based Inspection (RP 580/581). There are several common factors in both of these integral technologies, including:

  • Identification of the operative damage mechanisms
  • Assessment of future damage progression rates
  • Selection of appropriate Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques for detecting/characterizing equipment damage

API RP 571 was created to help link these technologies and to provide access to information in one concise source covering damage mechanisms. This Recommended Practice also aids in understanding damage inspected for in API 510/570 and API 653.

Understanding damage mechanisms and the effect of process conditions is important for several reasons:

  • Setting up effective inspection plans requires an in-depth understanding of what kind of damage to look for and how to identify it.
  • Methodologies for Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) and Fitness-For-Service (FFS) depend on the accurate prediction and determination of active mechanisms.
  • An effective Management of Change (MOC) process needs to consider the effect of proposed changes on future degradation.

Many problems can be prevented or eliminated if the precursors to damage are observed and monitored so that any potential damage is mitigated. Appropriate inspection and/or testing can achieve a proper balance between cost and effectiveness for the relevant mechanisms.

Relationship to FFS

In proactive FFS assessments, typical questions related to damage mechanisms include:

  • What are the potential degradation mechanisms?
  • What level of degradation is tolerable?
  • What types of NDE techniques are needed to find and characterize the damage?

In reactive FFS assessments, the questions related to damage mechanisms include:

  • What mechanism caused the damage?
  • What are the appropriate NDE methods?
  • What is the estimate of future damage rates?
  • What are the appropriate monitoring and mitigation methods?

Relationship to RBI

In Risk-Based Inspection, typical questions about damage mechanisms are:

  • What are the potential damage mechanisms?
  • What is the susceptibility and severity of cracking-related mechanisms?
  • What is the metal loss rate?
  • What is the effectiveness of various inspections based on damage mechanisms?
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Course Outline

This course, which is taught by the primary contributors of API’s Recommended Practice 571, includes many special features:

  • An overview of basic metallurgy applicable to refinery construction materials.
  • A description of common refining processes on the Process Flow Diagram level, highlighting where various damage mechanisms are usually observed.
  • A discussion of typical NDE methods and their ability to detect and characterize equipment damage.
  • Detailed discussions of the damage mechanisms that are found in refineries covered by RP 571.
  • Examples of equipment damage and failures, as well as learning exercises for students.
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Who Should Attend

Plant inspectors, mechanical engineers, process engineers and operators who are involved in inspection, Risk-Based Inspection, Fitness-For-Service and fixed equipment reliability programs, maintenance and operations.

Although refinery problems are the main focus of the class, personnel from related industries (such as mid-stream companies, gas plants and petrochemical firms) will also benefit from the course content and exercises.

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General Information

Please check class times carefully! Class starts at 8:00 and ends at 5:00 except the last day which ends at 12:30.

There is a maximum number of students for each course. Registrations, which must include payment, are accepted on first-come, first-served basis.

Attendees requiring a US Visa must register at least 2 months prior to the course to allow enough time to receive a letter of invitation and obtain a Visa.

Refreshments and lunch are provided.

Attendees earn 2.0 CEUs for attending the course and completing an evaluation form.

Registrants receive a binder containing all slides and presentation handouts.

The fee does not include copies of the API documents.

To Buy API Documents
Contact IHS Global, Inc., the primary distributor of API publications.

Telephone: 303-397-7956
Toll-free Phone: 800-854-7179
Fax: 303-397-2740
Web: www.global.ihs.com
Email: global@ihs.com
Or send email with order information to: publications@api.org

Questions about the Course, Registration, or Special Needs? Contact Equity Engineering at training@equityeng.com.

Private Courses: This course can be held on-site anywhere. Contact training@equityeng.com for details and pricing information.

Cancellations

  • Up to 14 days prior to the course, a 25% fee is deducted from your refund.
  • 13 to 6 days prior to the course, a 50% fee is deducted.
  • Within 5 days of the course, a 75% fee is deducted.

NO REFUNDS FOR NO SHOWS.
However, course attendee substitutions may be made at any time.

API and The Equity Engineering Group, Inc. reserve the right to cancel a course if minimum enrollment is not reached and to modify the agenda and/or faculty when circumstances are beyond our control.