API 510 case studies
API 510 · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector credential is one of the Individual Certification Programs (ICP) administered by the American Petroleum Institute through its Global Industry Services group, which the API site describes as driving "safety and efficiency within the oil and gas industry through standards, certifications, assessments, training and more." It is aimed at inspection and engineering personnel who evaluate in-service pressure vessels against API's maintenance inspection code - people who determine whether a vessel is fit to keep running, what has to be repaired or altered, and how often it must be looked at again. The body of knowledge commonly associated with the credential runs across five areas: scope and personnel qualifications, inspection/examination/testing practice, inspection intervals and remaining-life calculations, pressure-relieving devices, and repairs, alterations and rerating. The API 510 case studies are 5 cases and about 4,358 words.
1Four Assets, Two Inspectors, One Jurisdiction
A refinery's mechanical integrity group must set the inspection program for four items. Item A: an air receiver, 6 ft³, built in 1995 to ASME VIII Div.
660 words, about 3 min2Wet Insulation Found at a Platform on a Running Column
During an external inspection of a vertical carbon-steel column (8 ft ID, 60 ft tangent-to-tangent, MAWP 150 psig at 400 °F, calcium silicate insulation under aluminum jacketing), the inspector finds a breached jacket and crushed insulation at the 25 ft platform, with a rust stain running 3 ft down the shell. The vessel was internally inspected 6 years ago with no significant internal loss; CML readings then were 0.480–0.500 in against a required thickness of 0.330 in.
953 words, about 5 min3Setting the Next Interval from Two CMLs on a Wet Separator
A horizontal carbon-steel separator (SA-516-70, 10 ft ID) has been in wet hydrocarbon service since 2004. CML-1 is a vertical strip at the liquid line; CML-2 is at the bottom of the shell where a water boot was removed years ago.
941 words, about 5 min4Adding a Second Relief Valve to a Fire-Case-Limited Separator
A 6 ft ID horizontal separator has a MAWP of 300 psig at 250 °F and a single PSV set at 300 psig with a certified capacity of 6,000 lb/h at 10% overpressure. After a debottleneck, the controlling relief case is now external fire at 9,000 lb/h.
868 words, about 4 min5Classifying Four Jobs on a 250 psig Drum
A 250 psig, 350 °F, 8 ft ID carbon-steel drum (SA-516-70, 1.0 in shell, no PWHT required, U-1 stamped, built 2005) needs four jobs at the next turnaround: 1. Replace an existing 6 in nozzle with a 10 in nozzle to serve a new pump.
936 words, about 5 min