Introduction Mechanical integrity is one of the most important barriers between normal refinery operation and a major accident. In simple terms, mechanical integrity is the assurance that pressure equipment, piping, tanks, heaters, valves, flanges, small-bore connections and associated components are suitable for their intended service and remain fit for continued operation. It is not just about inspection. It is not …
Lessons from Silver Eagle: Metallurgical Failure, Inspection Oversight, and the Critical Role of Integrity Planning On 4 November 2009, a catastrophic explosion rocked the Silver Eagle Refinery in Woods Cross, Utah. The source: a sudden and violent rupture of a 10-inch carbon steel discharge line from the South Reactor (R30101) within the Mobil Distillate Dewaxing Unit (MDDW), releasing a large …
Credit: CSB On April 3, 2017, a catastrophic failure occurred at the Loy-Lange Box Company in St. Louis. A pressure vessel—the Semi-Closed Receiver (SCR), which stores hot condensate at 100 psig—violently ruptured. Propelled like a missile, it tore through the facility, launched through the roof at 120 mph, and crashed into a neighbouring building 520 feet away, killing four people …
Residual stresses are an often-overlooked but critical factor in the long-term reliability and safety of pressure equipment such as vessels, piping, and storage tanks. These stresses, which remain within a material after fabrication processes like welding, forming, or heat treatment, can significantly influence equipment’s structural integrity under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. In this article, we explore residual stresses, where they …
Mastering Technical Report Writing for Pressure Equipment Inspection and Assessment – In the field of pressure equipment inspection and assessment, the ability to produce a clear, accurate, and thorough technical report is an invaluable skill. These reports play a crucial role in documenting compliance, conveying the condition of critical equipment, and providing recommendations for maintenance or repair. A well-crafted report …
Developing a comprehensive inspection plan (WrittenScheme of Examination) for pressure vessels is not just usually a regulatory requirement—it is essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of industrial equipment. For those in industries such as oil refining, chemical processing, and petrochemicals, the extreme operating conditions and hazardous materials involved make a well-structured inspection plan critical. This article explores the …
Offshore structures are essential to the energy industry, supporting everything from oil and gas platforms to renewable energy installations. These complex assets operate in some of the most challenging environments on earth, requiring meticulous inspection and effective risk management to maintain their integrity and safety. Wilkinson Coutts Engineering Training Ltd is proud to launch our Offshore Structures Inspection and Risk …
FITNESS FOR SERVICE ASSESSMENTS (FFSAs) UNDERSTANDING THE FOLIAS FACTOR We like to keep things simple on our FFS training courses at Wilkinson Coutts. In FFS codes, the term shells describes pipes, vessels, and tanks collectively. The FOLIAS factor (M) is a critical component in assessing these shells. So, what is it? It’s just a stress concentration factor to acknowledge …
A-Z of Pressure Equipment Integrity We’re often asked, “What kind of things do your courses cover?” Well, we couldn’t get that all down on here, but here is an A-Z snapshot of some common topics that are covered in our training courses. A – Anodic Protection Anodic protection is a technique used to prevent the corrosion of metal surfaces by …
Navigating Temporary Repairs: Risks and Compliance Essentials Post Construction Codes (PCCs) API 510/570/653 define these as temporary repairs but a feature of ASME PCC-2 is that it provides technical details and leaves the user to decide themselves. What is temporary? There’s no agreed definition of temporary. The nearest is from API codes as ‘to the next maintenance/replacement opportunity’. Temporary …