Non-Intrusive Inspection Study (HOIS-RP-G103)
Intrusive Inspection or Internal Visual Inspection (IVI) is one the historically preferred method to determine the possible internal degradation of the pressure vessels and pressure systems to ensure continued safe and reliable operation. IVI can be very high cost due to shutting down of the vessel (loss of production), and Isolation requirements. Non-Intrusive Inspection is increasingly being considered as an alternative to the IVI approach.
What is NII?
Any inspection performed from the outside of the vessel without having to break containment and/or not requiring vessel entry. It may be performed on-stream or off-stream.
The benefits of NII in comparison to IVI are significant and includes the following:
- Avoids man access or confined space entry which can be hazardous.
- Planning for turnaround / shutdown. NII allows the preliminary inspection to be made before the plant is shutdown, providing an opportunity for the turnaround to be shortened by long-lead time planning and preparation (for repair and maintenance based upon the NDT results) to be made in advance of the start of the turnaround.
- Shortening the turnaround. Shutdown duration may be reduced by carrying out most or all of the inspection work in advance of the shutdown, allowing the turnaround to be restricted to mechanical work. This also simplifies planning.
- Removal of requirement to break containment. No need to isolate, drain and purge the vessel. This may include partial break of containment, for example access to water/coolant side of a heat exchanger without breaking hydrocarbon containment. This may lead to shortening of the turnaround.
- Minimizes disturbances to the vessel which could create new problems.
- It may be possible to avoid the need to shut down the vessel operation entirely. Inspections can be made on a different cycle from any other maintenance, or the inspections may be made at reduced capacity or temperature, rather than having to isolate, drain and purge the vessel.
- Allows the inspection to be carried out when a potential problem is identified, without interfering with other operations. This might occur when either routine surveillance or unusual operating conditions suggest that damage might have occurred.
ARAIS is capable of providing following NII implementation services:
- Our NII study will address the following:
- Determine NII is appropriate in principle as an alternative to IVI,
- Detailed out information requirement to plan for NII,
- Defining the requirements e.g., Probability of Detection (POD) and coverage for the NII selected methods that meet the requirements,
- Evaluating the results of the inspection.
- With the help of our NDT services partners, we can offer turnkey solutions which includes comprehensive NII study together with NDT inspection.
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