API 580 case studies
API 580 · Put your knowledge to work in context.
API 580 – Risk Based Inspection is one of the credentials administered under the American Petroleum Institute's Individual Certification Programs (ICP). Since 1989, ICP has provided the petroleum and petrochemical industries with an independent and unbiased way to evaluate the knowledge and experience of technical and inspection personnel, with testing built on industry-developed standards that are recognized and used worldwide. The API 580 case studies are 5 cases and about 2,425 words.
1Scoping an RBI Assessment With Sparse Piping Data
A terminal plans its first RBI assessment covering 63 pressure vessels and 180 piping circuits. The corporate standard requires all equipment in the unit to be assessed before the next turnaround, 10 months away.
494 words, about 2 min2Corrosion Rate Selection After a Service Change to Wet Sour
A carbon steel knockout drum has a nominal wall thickness of 19.05 mm and a required minimum of 9.5 mm. UT readings are 17.8 mm in 2014, 17.2 mm in 2019, and 16.9 mm in 2024 at the same four points.
511 words, about 3 min3Consequence Endpoint for a Sour Water Vessel Near an Occupied Building
A 25 m3 horizontal vessel contains sour water with 12,000 ppm H2S at 8 bar. The nearest occupied building is 110 m downwind of the prevailing wind direction and houses 15 people.
478 words, about 2 min4Two Items With Identical Risk Scores but Different Uncertainty
Two equipment items have the same calculated risk score of 62 on a 100-point scale. Item A is a carbon steel column with 0.5 mm/yr general corrosion, four UT points per shell course, and a 2019 inspection showing 60% of minimum thickness remaining.
496 words, about 2 min5Deferring a Reboiler Inspection and Documenting the Decision
An inspection of a depropanizer reboiler is due in 3 months, but the next unit turnaround is 14 months away. The last RBI assessment ranked the item as medium-high risk, driven by external chloride stress corrosion cracking under insulation.
446 words, about 2 min