Inspection methodology designed to optimize budgets

Methodology based on characterization of equipment damage using available nondestructive evaluation methods is described through a procedure and three case studies. The case studies showed that by using available internal and external inspection techniques, 344 out of 891 defects (or 39% of the total) detected in 212 refinery pressure vessels were found to require future monitoring or removal. The other 547 defects (or 61%) required no further action. This resulted in considerable savings by avoiding unnecessary vessel entries, eliminating the need for weld repairs, or reducing the extent of inspection in a vessel.