Prepared by Ray Delaforce for internal use only
API 579 Example 4.11
Pressure Vessel Information:
Design Conditions = 300 psig @ 350 OF
Inside (new) Diameter = 48 inches D
Nominal Thickness = 0.75 inches
Uniform Metal Loss = 0 inches (no general corrosion)
Future Corrosion Allowance = 0.10 inches FCA
Material = SA 516 Grade 70
Joint Efficiency = 0.85
PERFORM THE INITIAL CALCULATIONS
CALCULATE THE MINIMUM REQUIRED THICKNESS:
Using the ASME VIII, Division 1 Code
In the Circumferential (hoop) Direction
P x ( R + FCA )
tCmin =
SE 0.60 x P
300 x ( 24 + 0.10 )
= = 0.492 inches
17500 x 0.85 0.60 x 300
In the Longitudinal ( axial ) Direction
P x ( R + FCA )
tLmin =
2SE + 0.40 x P
300 x ( 24 + 0.10 )
= = 0.242 inches
2 x 17500 x 0.85 + 0.40 x 300
tmin = Max ( tCmin, tLmin) = 0.492 inches
WE NOW KNOW THE REQUIRED MINIMUM THICKNESS
This thickness which is tmin = 0.492 inches
WE MUST NOW CONSIDER THE ACTUAL CURRENT CONDITION OF THE
VESSEL WALL TO ASSESS ITS FUTURE USE
DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AN AREA OF CORROSION IS FOUND
WHAT DO WE DO NOW ?
1 WE DETERMINE THE AREA OF THIS CORROSION
2 WE MEASURE THE VARIOUS THICKNESSES IN THIS AREA
3 LET US NOW SEE HOW WE DO THIS
SURVEY METHOD
1 Find the corrosion area Identify it
2 Overlay a Grid with nodes at the intersections 1.5 inches pitch
3 Label the grid Circumferential and Longitudinal Gridlines
4 Measure thicknesses at every NODE tabulate the results
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
NOW TABULATE THE VALUES
1 Set out the table of node thicknesses
2 Find the CTP for the Circumference Thicknesses
3 Find the CTP for the Longitudinal Thicknesses
4 Complete the CTP values
5 Determine minimum thickness tmm = 0.36 inches
0.75
0.48
0.55
0.36
0.48
049
0.75
0.75 0.48 0.47 0.55 0.36 0.48 0.49 0.75
WE NOW HAVE THE COMPLETED CTP TABLE
0.75
0.48
0.55
0.36
0.48
049
0.75
0.75 0.48 0.47 0.55 0.36 0.48 0.49 0.75
Minimum measured thickness tmm = 0.36
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Find the Remaining Thickness Ratio (Rt):
Rt = tmm - FCA = 0.36 - 0.10 = 0.528
tmin 0.492
Allowable Remaining Strength Factor (RSFa):
Section [Link](d) states: Recommended value for
RSFa is 0.90 which is conservative..
RSFa = 0,90
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Remaing Thickness Ratio Rt = 0.528
Allowable Remaining Strength Factor RSFa = 0,90
Calculate the Q factor (or read from Table 4.4):
1 - Rt
Q = 1.123 [ (1 - Rt / RSFa )2 - 1 ]0.5
1 - 0.528
= 1.123 [ ( 1 - 0.528 / 0.90 )2 - 1 ]0.5
= 0.619
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Remaing Thickness Ratio R = 0.528
Allowable Remaining Strength Factor RSFa = 0,90
Factor Q =
0.619
Calculate Length for thickness averaging (L):
L=Q D x tmin
= 0.619 48 x 0.492
= 3.0 inches
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Remaing Thickness Ratio R = 0.528
Allowable Remaining Strength Factor RSFa = 0,90
Factor Q = 0.619
Length for thickness averaging L = 3.0 inches
Longitudinal Critical Thickness Profile CTP
FCA
tmin = 0.492
L
s = flaw dimension
Flaw dimension s = 8.71 inches
L is considered for the 3 thinnest points (see later)
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Remaing Thickness Ratio R = 0.528
Allowable Remaining Strength Factor RSFa = 0,90
Factor Q = 0.619
Length for thickness averaging L = 3.011 inches
Flaw dimension s = 8.71 inches
We need not consider the Longitudinal CTP because
tLmin < tmm - FCA
0.242 < 0.36 - 0.10 ( = 0.26)
We are now only concerned with the profile within the
flaw distance L taking the three thinnest adjacent points
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Length for thickness averaging L = 3.0 inches
Divide into equal slices using the Grid Pitch
Dimension the L length and pitches
Longitudinal Critical Thickness Profile (CTP) within length L
0.48 0.49
0.55 tmm
0.47 0.36
1,5 1,5 1,5 1,5
L = 3.0
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Longitudinal Critical Thickness Profile (CTP) within length L
0.48 0.49
0.55 tmm
0.47 0.36
1,5 1,5 1,5 1,5
L = 3.0
Calculate the Average Thickness (tam) over length L
This is done by taking the area and dividing by L:
tam = (0.55 + 0.36 + 0.36 + 0.48) x 1.5 = 0.438 inches
2 x L ( = 3.0)
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Per paragraph [Link].f.1:
tam - FCA = 0.438 - 0.10 = 0.338 inches
tCmin = 0.492
inches
tam - FCA > tCmin is FALSE
Per paragraph [Link].f.2:
tmm - FCA = 0.36 - 0.10 = 0.26 inches
Max(-.5tmin, 0.10) = Max(0.246, 0.10) = 0.246 inches
tmm - FCA > Max(0.246, 0.10) is TRUE
BECAUSE ONE CONDITION IS FALSE, LEVEL 1
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ARE NOT SATISFIED !
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
BECAUSE ONE CONDITION IS FALSE, LEVEL 1
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ARE NOT SATISFIED !
We can derate the MAWP based on Level 1 assessment
Using the formula in ASME for pressure:
Set t = tam - FCA in the equation = 0.338 inches
SEt
MAWP =
Rc + 0.60.t
17500 x 0.85 x 0.338
=
24.10 + 0.60 x 0.338
= 207 psi
Therefore MAWP is derated from 300 psi down to 207 psi
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Therefore MAWP is derated from 300 psi down to 207 psi
This is based upon the LEVEL 1 assessment !
WE CAN PERFORM A LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENT TO
PERFORM A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS
Per paragraph [Link].1.a.1:
tam - FCA = 0.438 - 0.10 = 0.338 inches
RSFa x tCmin = 0.90 x 0.492 = 0.443 inches
tam - FCA > RSFa x tCmin is FALSE
Per paragraph [Link].1.b:
tamm - FCA = 0.36 - 0.10 = 0.260 inches
Max([Link], 0,1) = Max(0.246, 0.1) = 0.246 inches
tamm - FCA > Max([Link],0.1) is TRUE
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
Because LEVEL 2 assessment criteria are not met, we
must re-evaluate the MAWP according to LEVEL 2
requirements.
CONTINUE WITH THE CALCULATION
We can derate the MAWP based on Level 2 assessment
Using the formula in ASME for pressure:
Set tc = (tam - FCA) / RSFa in the equation
= (0.438 - 0.10) / 0.90 = 0.376 inches
SEtc
MAWP =
Rc + [Link]
17500 x 0.85 x 0.376
=
24.10 + 0.60 x 0.376
= 230 psi
Therefore MAWP is derated from 300 psi down to 230 psi
