Integrity Assessments

RESIDUAL LIFE ASSESSMENT

Assessing the condition and remaining life of industrial plants that operate at high temperature and high pressure becomes more critical the older the plant becomes. Residual Life Assessment will guide plant owners and operators with maintenance and replacement programs and avoid forced outages.

Residual Life Assessment is an essential component of Total Asset Integrity Management. RAE Engineering and Inspection Ltd. makes use of a range of tools in assessing the residual life of high-temperature, high-pressure plants (such as steam generators, refinery equipment and the like).

Non-Destructive Examination

Most non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques are an essential part of Residual Life Assessment. For stress and fracture mechanic calculations it is important that accurate defect sizing and characterization be emphasized.

Process and Operational History Evaluation

Knowing the operating history of the plant and evaluating it in terms of temperature and pressure excursions provides essential information for realistic Residual Lifetime Assessment.

Metallographic Evaluation Using the Replication Technique

Creep is a major cause of material degradation and cracking in plant components that operate at high temperature and high pressure, such as steam piping, boiler headers, boiler tubes, turbine casings, valves, etc. From the initial onset of creep it progresses into creep crack development and finally creep crack growth. Using the metallographic replication technique, RAE Engineering and Inspection Ltd. can evaluate the material surface microstructure and assess the creep damage that may be developing prior to catastrophic failure. Using past history and quantitative evaluation of the creep damage a life prediction can be made for certain components. The replication technique can also be used to identify and other material degradation caused by improper heating resulting in embrittlement like graphitization and micro structural decomposition caused by extreme overheating.

As plants reach and exceed their design life the decision relating to managing, repairing or replacing components becomes critical. Residual Life Assessment is a tool that will ensure that the decision making process becomes more realistic and cost effective.