Heat Exchanger Inspection Procedure PDF
Heat Exchanger Inspection Procedure PDF
Heat Exchanger Inspection Procedure PDF
No.
Fixed Equipment Inspection Manual
Section 12.0 Inspection of Heat REL-WP-22 03
Exchangers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exchangers
3.0 References:
Chevron Engineering Standard Pressure Vessels
API 2217 Guidelines for Confined Space Work in the Petroleum Industry
ASME Sec. V, Nondestructive Examination
API 660 Heat Exchangers for General Refinery use
API 551 Air coolers
API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code, Maintenance Inspection Re-
rating, Repair / alteration
TEMA Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association
Reliability Fixed Equipment Manual Section 6 Inspection of Pressure
Vessels
Reliability Fixed Equipment Manual Section 14 Pressure Testing
Reliability Fixed Equipment Manual Section 17 Inspection Frequency
Standards.
Exchangers
4.0 Definitions:
Alteration A physical change in any component that has design implications
that affect the pressure containing capability of a heat exchanger beyond the
scope of the items described in the existing data sheets.
Authorized Pressure Vessel Inspector A person qualified per the
requirements of API 510 for the purposes of performing pressure vessel
inspections.
Heat Exchanger Inspector An individual who performs inspections on Heat
Exchangers. This may include visual and other non-destructive testing. All
data collected shall be reviewed by the Authorized Pressure Vessel
Inspector.
Heat Exchanger Engineer An individual who is knowledgeable and
experienced in the engineering disciplines associated with evaluating
mechanical and material characteristics, which might affect the integrity and
reliability of Heat Exchangers.
API American Petroleum institute
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
CUI Corrosion under insulation as a result of operating and environmental
conditions.
External Inspection The inspection is performed on the external
appurtenances to determine if leaks, mechanical or structural damage is
present. Generally, much of the inspection shall be done while the heat
exchanger is in service. Inspection is performed at least every five (5) years
or at the quarter corrosion-rate of the shell, whichever is less.
In service Heat exchanger that has been placed in operation. Also includes
heat exchanger that is not in operation due to outage.
Internal Inspection - The inspection used to establish the suitability of a heat
exchanger for continued operation. NDE procedures are used to establish
the suitability of the exchanger for continued service. The internal inspection
involves a complete visual inspection, supplemented by U.T. or other NDT
techniques, on all structures / appurtenances.
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) - The maximum gauge
pressure permitted at the top of a heat exchanger in its operating position for
a designated temperature.
MDMT - Minimum Design Metal Temperature
NDE Non Destructive Examination
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On-Stream Inspection The inspection used to establish the suitability of a
heat Exchanger for continued operation. NDE procedures are used to
establish the suitability of the exchanger, and the exchanger may or may not
be in operation while the inspection is being carried out.
Repair The work necessary to restore a heat exchanger to a condition
suitable for safe and reliable operation at the design conditions.
Rerating - A change in either the design temperature rating, the MDMT or the
MAWP rating of a vessel.
R.T. Radiographic Testing
TML Thickness Measurement Location, is a designated area on
pressurized equipment which periodic inspections and thickness
measurements are conducted.
U.T. Ultrasonic Testing
U.T. Technician An individual who has qualified by written examination
under the provisions of ASME Sec. V (ASNT-SNT-TC-1A)
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5.1.5 All outside Contractor NDT Technicians shall have good English language
skills and shall submit all NDT reports in English.
All areas of inspection work shall follow this guideline, API 510, ASME
Sec. V, and ANSI/ASNT CP-189 requirements; thereby minimizing
unscheduled failures of equipment, which could impact the environment,
result in property damage and personnel injury.
Personnel engaged in either external or internal inspection activities of
heat exchangers shall comply with Environmental Health and Safety
Exchangers
(EHS) requirements, with respect to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
and Confine Space Entry (CSE).
6.2 Since the difficulty of cleaning increases rapidly as the scale thickness or
deposits increase, the intervals between cleanings should not be excessive.
6.3 The most common ways to clean exchanger tubes are as follows:
Chemical Cleaning
Hydro Blasting
Mechanical Cleaning wire brushes
6.4.1 Chemical cleaning is the process of introducing fluids not normally found
during normal operation of heat exchangers. This may include the
following:
Acids
Bases
Other cleaning agents
6.4.2 Chemical cleaning shall not be performed until the following has been
performed:
The Chemical Cleaning Contractor shall provide a chemical cleaning
procedure with MSDS for review and approval to Reliability and
Process Engineering.
A job Safety Analysis shall be performed (Contractor must attend) to
discuss and identify all hazards associated with the submitted
chemical cleaning procedure.
The equipment has been S/D, decontaminated, and isolated.
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6.4.3 It is required that test coupons (of the same metallurgy as that of the heat
exchanger) be used to monitor the affects of the cleaning to the
equipment.
6.5.1 The recommended pressure setting for the hydro blasting is between
8000 10,000 PSI. For higher pressures, approval from the Reliability
Manager shall be required.
Exchangers
6.6 Mechanical Cleaning
6.6.1 Special attention must be given to utilizing the correct metallurgy scrapers
/ files when cleaning H.E. Tubes. Using C.S. on alloys may result in
damage or future Reliability considerations.
6.6.2 When mechanically cleaning a tube bundle, care must be taken to avoid
damaging the tubes.
CAUTION
Never clean tubes by blowing steam through individual tubes since this
heats the tube and may result in severe expansion strain, deformation of the
tube, or loosing of the tube-to-tubesheet joint
7.2 Documentation
For the first four (4) identified techniques listed above, the NDT Contractor
shall interpret the results of the examination(s) performed and provide a written
report, which shall as a minimum include the following:
The minimum wall thickness found per bundle
The type of defect / corrosion mechanism
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This copy is Valid only if REVISION NUMBER matches ELECTRONIC " Intranet" REV
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The location of the defect(s) / corrosion in relationship to the tube(s),
i.e. ID or OD
The general condition of the tubes examined
A color coded computer printout displaying the distribution of the tubes
tested by their remaining wall thickness remaining life
This technique has several limitations. The most important ones are as
follows:
The exchanger tube ID must be VERY clean to allow for sufficient
wave propagation.
The tube wall thickness should be greater than 0.50mm. Below this
limit, the equipment cannot resolve the OD and ID signals, resulting in
inaccuracies.
This technique has several limitations. The most important ones are as follows:
This examination technique can only be used on non-ferromagnetic
materials
Exchangers
Typical discontinuities that can be determined by ET are as follows:
Discontinuities on either the ID or OD of the tube, or within the tube
wall
General wall thickness
Pitting
Mechanical wear resulting in cracking
The tube thickness differentials are recorded and processed by the associated
CPU / imaging unit. The CPU will analyze the data collected and produce a
color-coded scan plot/map. Tube wall thickness reduction variations are
recorded and interpreted per the software.
Exchangers
7.7 3-Ball Mike Calipers
3-ball tube calipers, I.D. mikes or caliper snap gauges are used to measure the
I.D. of tubes for general wall loss. Typically two readings are obtained for each
test tube, one point at the roll and a second point approximately six inches
further into the tube. After establishing the tube OD via the associated U-1
form, the estimated tube wall thickness can be determined.
Exchangers
The judgment of the Authorized inspector, the pressure vessel engineer or a
corrosion specialist; based upon operating conditions, previous inspection
history, current inspection results, and conditions that may warrant
supplemental inspections.
8.1.1 Reduce test pressure to the MAWP and mark all existing roll leak(s).
8.1.4 After re-rolling, perform a shell side hydro-test to 1.3 X MAWP (Hot &
Corroded), hold for 15 minutes minimum, reduce pressure to MAWP, and
visually confirm bundle tightness.
8.1.5 If any leaks are detected, tubes may be re-rolled a second time in some
cases. However, in no case should the tube expansion ratio exceed 5%
combined for all re-rolls. If roll leaks are detected after reaching the 5%
expansion ratio, the tube(s) with roll leak(s) shall be plugged (see 8.3).
Exchangers
8.2 Seal Welded Tube Ends Requiring Weld Repairs
During shell-side hydro testing to 1.3 X MAWP (Hot & Corroded), should seal
welded tube ends leak, the following must take place:
8.2.1 Reduce test pressure to the MAWP value and mark all existing seal weld
leak(s).
8.2.5 After repairs are completed, perform a shell side hydrotest to 1.3 X MAWP
(Hot & Corroded), hold for 15 minutes minimum, reduce pressure to the
MAWP value, and visually confirm bundle tightness.
During shell-side hydro testing of the heat exchanger to 1.3 X MAWP (Hot &
Corroded), tube(s) are observed to be leaking.
8.3.1 After reducing pressure to the MAWP of the exchanger, mark all existing
tube leaks (or identified thinned tubes). Record the number and location of
identified tubes.
8.3.3 Based on tube size and wall thickness, choose the correct sized tube plug(s)
Metallurgy of the plug(s) must be compatible with the tube metallurgy. Note
that per industry standard, normally a maximum of approximately 10% of the
total number of tubes should be plugged. Any more than 10% will require an
Page 13 of 18 Print Date: 17 February 2012 Revision Date: 17 February 2012
This copy is Valid only if REVISION NUMBER matches ELECTRONIC " Intranet" REV
Exchangers
evaluation by the Process Engineer. If the maximum number of plugs has
been installed, a complete tube bundle replacement may be required.
8.3.4 For non-leaking thinned tubes either cut or puncture tube (behind tubesheet)
prior to plug insertion to prevent trapped air from causing a premature plug(s)
failure.
NOTE: For U-bundles, cut tube(s) at the upper end to ensure air is vented
from tube. For tubes with heavy ID fouling, cut tubes at BOTH tubesheet
ends.
8.3.5 Re-pressure test exchanger bundle to 1.3 MAWP (Hot & Corroded), hold for
15 minutes minimum, reduce to its MAWP, and visually confirm bundle
tightness.
8.4.1 All new equipment must be inspected and verified as complying with the
project specification.
5.4.2 After installation of the new bundle, perform a shell side hydro test to 1.3 X
MAWP (Hot & Corroded).
Where;
S test temp = allowable stress at test temperature
S design temp = allowable stress at design temperature
Exchangers
CAUTION
Attention should be paid to chloride content in testing Water (not exceeding 50
ppm) when testing tubes that are susceptible to chloride stress corrosion
cracking, such as those constructed of austenitic stainless steels, and to
making sure that complete draining and drying procedures are available for
use.
9.2 When testing only for gasket integrity, it is usually acceptable to pressure up
the equipment to approximately 10% over the operating pressure.
9.3 Note that all other aspects of pressure testing can be found in the Fixed
Equipment Inspection procedure binder, section 14.0 Pressure Testing.
Exchangers
13.0 Responsibilities
13.1 The Reliability Manager shall approve any deviations from these
guidelines.
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Observing the closing and final pressure testing if required of
the heat exchanger.
Preparing a final written inspection report for approval by the
Authorized Pressure Vessel Inspector and maintain current
records of the heat exchanger activities.
Recording required inspection data into Meridium data base
system
13.5 The S-CHEM Process Eng. Dept. Representative shall be responsible
for:
Performing initial internal inspection, if required, prior to the
cleaning/repair process to assess/evaluate the as found status
of the heat exchanger.
Determining the cleanliness level for satisfactory operation and
signing off for closing. See attached Equipment Final Closure
Form.
Exchangers
Issuing ASME Code accepted Repair or Alteration documents
(package).
14.0 AUDITING
Reliability Manager is responsible for ensuring that this procedure is
reviewed and updated as necessary at least once every three (3) years.
15.0 Appendixes/Attachments
REL.-WP-22.1 - Reliability Repair Recommendations Form
REL.-WP-22.2 - Technical Reliability Memo
REL.-WP-22.3 - External Inspection Checklist
REL.-WP-22.4 - Internal Inspection Checklist
Equipment Final Closure Form
Equipment Name :
& Number
Written By : Date :
OBSERVATIONS:
Date:
From:
Dept:
Subject:
The above equipment has been supplied, erected and internally fitted in accordance with the
applicable drawings, specifications and manufacturers standard and is certified to be
mechanically acceptable. Equipment has been inspected for cleanliness and is free of all debris.
OR
The above equipment has been opened, cleaned, inspected, and repaired in accordance with all
applicable codes or standards, and finally prepared for closure.
Authorization is hereby granted to effect final closure or sealing of the above stated equipment.
(N/A if Process Engineering inspection is not required):
Authorization is hereby granted to effect final closure or sealing of the above stated equipment.
Certifying the final closure or sealing of the above stated equipment completed