A pipe with 100 psi liquified Chlorine started to leak at the point where the pipe is connected to the plant construction. The pipe was high in a pipe bridge without easy access for inspection, which was done 6 months prior. The inspection missed this critical point.
Aspects:
- Pipe connections to the plant construction are potential weak points with enhanced erosion and corrosion.
- The pipe must be free-hanging, allowing expansion. Such a profile allows Plastic supported by metal reduce friction.
- Drones might be used to help with inspections at difficult-to-reach places.
- Design pipe routing and supports in a way to enable visual inspection from all sides, avoid hidden spots.
- Critical points in pipelines that require additional attention during the inspection include:
- spots with water retention,
- support points,
- dead legs,
- changes in pipe speck,
- vibration areas,
- spots with cyclic stress and
- thermal expansion
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