FITNESS FOR SERVICE AND REMAINING LIFE ASSESSMENT
The majority of constructed structures deteriorate over time as a result of corrosion, incidental damage, heavy usage, operating outside of set parameters, and other factors. Because the type and degree of these degradation mechanisms are frequently unknown, the possibility of unforeseen failures is increased. Identifying the damage process and assessing its temporal dependency is a crucial first step.
The equipment is then subjected to a multidisciplinary examination to ascertain if it is fit for continuing service in accordance with the API 579-1 FFS standard. This analysis frequently includes stress analysis, FEA, and other calculations. A suggestion to monitor, maintain, modify, or replace the apparatus can now be made.
The API 579 Fitness-for-Service Assessment Process
To ensure continuing safe operations for many years of service in demanding and dynamic conditions, many applications necessitate the qualification of existing or damaged components. To choose the best maintenance strategy, it is necessary to assess degradation caused by wear, corrosion, hydrogen damage, fatigue, and other factors like HTHA. For FFS testing, we employ API 579 or other industrial standards along with top-notch metallurgical laboratory services in facilities approved by third parties and cutting-edge finite element modelling capabilities.
- An evaluation of the damage process is the first step.
- Next, we conduct interviews and surveys to collect the required field data.
- FFS level 1, 2, or 3 type assessments are made based on the severity of the damage.
- We then offer advice and an evaluation of the operations' remaining life.
For the forecast of component life, fitness-for-service is crucial. The crucial following step is fitness-for-service testing and evaluation to ascertain whether components need to be repaired, used more gently, replaced, or if they still have enough life left to remain in service. This is done when flaws or damage to your existing equipment or components are detected or suspected. Planning for maintenance and life prediction have been areas of expertise for 3DES-Colossal and our FFS testing partners for many years. To ensure that you consistently receive the greatest response, we employ cutting-edge modelling, testing, and software techniques.
In order to forecast how long a component will last and to provide operators the option of choosing a suitable maintenance (or replacement) approach to ensure long-term integrity, fitness-for-service testing integrates all the data from metallurgical testing, mechanical testing, and other data.
Fitness-for-Service testing is commonly applied to:
- High-energy Piping
- Pressure Vessels
- Storage Tanks
- Steam Turbine Blades, Nozzles, and Components
- Fired Heaters
- Pipelines
- Headers
- Reformers
- HTHA and other Hydrogen Damage Mechanisms
- Coke Drums
- Flare Drums
- Process Piping
In addition to API 579, we can provide you with many related inspection services including:
- API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection
- API 570 Piping Inspection
- API 580 Risk Based Inspection
- API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank
- API 936 Refractory Inspection