VIRAMID-CPC-CS® Tester Contact Point Corrosion on Carbon Steel

Application’s T-CONNECTOR SUPPORTS | SADDLE SUPPORTS |HANGERS |BEAM LOCATIONS| PAD| CLAMP| FLARE STACKS | DEAD LEGS | CUI | OFF SHORE | WATER MAINS | TANKS | TANK WELDS FOR POROSITY |UNDERGROUND PIPE

Pipping at supports I-Beams High Pressure Piping T-Pipe

Advantages of Using VIRAMID-CPC-CS® QUICK INSPECTION | COST EFFECTIVE | REPEATABLE RESULTS | USER FRIENDLY | CONVENTIONAL TRAINING | 8 HOUR SHIFTS |NO OVERTIME | PROCESS DOES NOT NEED TO BE SHUTDOWN TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION |MATERIAL NEEDS TO BE BARE METAL | CONTACT SURFACE MUST BE CLEAN OF DUST, DEBRIS, PAINT, RUST.

Industry wide Issue

Leading cause of facility releases belongs to equipment failure (53%), followed by operator error (17%) and then corrosion (16%). However, corrosion related spills in facilities account for the largest average spill volume of all release types in facilities. In addition, both the number and size of corrosion related spills in facilities are on an upward trend. Facility piping supports or other metal to metal contact may increase the potential for external corrosion. Use of non-metallic separation barriers (such as high density polyethylene I-rod) can mitigate the potential for external corrosion at pipe supports and other metal-to-metal contact points. Inspection of these contact points during atmospheric inspection is key. Use of adjustable supports will facilitate effective inspection of the bottom of pipe at the support location.

Solution and Results VIR was subjected to a blind probability of detection by a plant and was successful in passing the test. VIR could inspect the pipe while the plant was running and provide remaining wall loss to the client. The plant continues to utilize VIR on all 6 lines for trending purposes. The plant also utilizes VIR for inspecting the saddles on 8” and 12” pipe in the racks with pulled pipe results plus or minus 10% wall loss.

What is VIR “Contact Point Corrosion”

VIR Inspection is the owner and the inventor of VIR contact point corrosion test method. A non-destructive technique to inundate the conductive material being inspected with AC or DC current. It’s a two-position contact point corrosion test method, each position had “current electrodes” and “potential electrodes”. Current electrodes connect to the voltage source or current source. Potential electrodes measure a voltage drop along the area of concern of the test specimen in the direction of charge flow(current). Ideal configuration of current electrodes is in the axial direction through the test specimen. Results are repeatable and consistent to provide trending inspections and life assessment.

How VIR Started

A major plant was looking for a solution to inspect their High-Pressure Piping (HPP) for corrosion at the clamps. There are 6 lines with 386 clamps in each line. Each HPP carries 27,000 pounds of gas through the pipe. Multiple techniques such as Guided Wave, Digital Radiography and Eddy Current were used; but were unsuccessful because of different variables such as the temperature of the pipe, pipe vibration and pipe configuration. At that time the only inspection method the plant could conduct was actual physical examination of the pipe and this could only be done during shutdowns

Inspection Variables A routine inspection should take place every year or two to replicate a trending inspection compared to the original baseline inspection. This inspection will give us a time frame of degradation decay and thus we will be able to extrapolate to present the predicted life cycle of the test specimen. VIR testing is recommended after installation of a new test specimen after process is started This will accurately determine a baseline inspection to provide a precise trending inspection and life expectancy.

VIRAMID® Line of Testers

Technical Brief

VIRAMID-CPC-CS®

Contact Point Corrosion on insulated and uninsulated carbon steel material, such as

piping looking for pitting, corrosion VIR Inspection Proudly Introduces The New Contact Point Corrosion

Tester & Inspection Technique

Contact us

Office: 425-835-0528 832-943-0979

Email: info@vir-inspection.com Web: www.vir-inspection.com

West Coast: VIR Inspection LLC 320 Dayton Street Suite 260 Edmonds, WA. 98020

Gulf Coast: VIR Inspection LLC Under Construction Houston, Texas.

VIR INSPECTION LLC