Hydrocarbon Engineering - March 2017

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software can also store thickness
readings and has a web browser-based
user interface (Figure 3) that allows for
the display of data and asset integrity
information. The application can be
viewed through standard
browser-enabled devices such as
laptop computers, tablets and smart
phones.
Crude unit overhead
monitoring
Remote corrosion monitors were
placed on the overhead elbow of the
processing tower. During a recent
turnaround, the top of the tower had
been replaced and upgraded with a
Monel (UNS04400) liner due to corrosion. The overhead
condensers had a history of corrosion, requiring weld
buildup and equipment replacement, and the overhead line
had been replaced on at least one occasion. Remote
corrosion monitors were installed on known low spots on
the overhead elbow to provide insight on how operating
conditions affected corrosion activity. With this
knowledge, integrity operating windows (IOWs) could be
directly correlated to real time equipment damage. By
collecting accurate corrosion rates, the necessary
replacement date of the elbow could be predicted with
increased confidence. The remote system could also help
decrease the frequency of manual inspections for this
equipment. To put this in perspective, prior to replacing
the top of the tower, inspection crews had been climbing
the 130 ft (39.6 m) tower on a weekly basis in order to
manually collect UT thickness readings.
Remote corrosion monitoring was accomplished by
installing a cellular-based ultrasonic thickness monitoring
system, including eight dual element transducers. A
viscoelastic ultrasonic couplant and magnetic attachment
were used to mount and couple the transducers to the
piping. The viscoelastic couplant was chosen rather than a
rigid adhesive so that the transducers can be easily
Figure 3. Web-based interface for installed sensor data shows both the raw
and trended data. Metal loss rates of 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) with a resolution
of 0.0001 in. (2.5 microns) is easily observable.
P L E A S E V I S I T U S AT O T C I N HOU S TON – U S A , G E RMA N PAV I L I ON , BOO T H 3 6 2 5
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Tel.: +49 8741 301-0 • Fax:+49 8741 301-300• •
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for Separation and Processing of
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