Example 1:

The following is an example for determining the remaining life of a pipeline based on API
570 Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Rerating of In-service Piping Systems-
Edition 98, Addendum 2006; SectionInspection Data Evaluation, Analysis, and
Recording.
Remaining life (years) = (t
actual
t
required
) / corrosion rate [inches (mm) per year]
where
t
actual
= the actual thickness, in inches (millimeters), measured at the time of inspection
for a given location or component.
t
required
= the required thickness, in inches (millimeters), at the same location or
component as the t
actual
measurement, computed by the design formulas (e.g., pressure
and structural) before corrosion allowance and manufacturer's tolerance are added.
And to find the corrosion rate to be used in equation (1), we have to compute the two
components of corrosion rate: LT and ST and select the greater value.
The long-term (LT) corrosion rate shall be calculated from the following formula:
Corrosion rate (LT) = (t
initial
t
actual
) / time (years) between t
initial
and t
actual

The short-term (ST) corrosion rate shall be calculated from the following formula:
Corrosion rate (ST) = (t
previous
t
actual
) / time (years) between t
previous
and t
actual

t
initial
= the thickness, in inches (millimeters), at the same location as tactual measured at
initial installation or at the commencement of a new corrosion rate environment.
t
previous
= the thickness, in inches (millimeters), at the same location as t
actual
measured
during a previous inspection.
Given:
Pipe NPS 30" & t
actual
= Pipe wall thickness after 15, t
15
= 0.3789" (9.625 mm)
Pipe material API 5LX, ERW
Code : ASME B31.8
Nominal pipe wall thickness, t
nominal
: 0.438" (11.125 mm) = t
intial

MAOP 910 psi
SMYS 52 000 psi
Pipe wall thickness after 5 years, t
5
= 10.625 mm
Pipe wall thickness after 10 years, t
10
= 10.125 mm = t
previous

By: Eng. Abdel Halim Galala
Required:
Determine the remaining life of pipeline after 15 years of inservice.
Design thickness (Required thickness or Critical thickness), t
required
, t
r
= PD / 2SFET
where (from ASME B31.8); - Appropriate Design Factor, F = 0.72
- Longitudinal Weld Joint Factor, E = 1.0
- Temperature Derating Factor, T = 1.0
Solution:
t
required
= PD / 2 SEFT = (910 psi)(30 in.)/[2(52000 psi)(0.72)(1.0)(1.0)]
= 0.364" (9.260 mm)
Long term corrosion rate (LT) = (t
initial
t
actual
) / time (years) between t
initial
and t
actual

= (11.125 mm) (9.625 mm) / 15 years = 0.1 mm/year
Short term corrosion rate (ST) = (t
previous
t
actual
) / time (years) between t
previous
and t
actual

= (10.125 mm) (9.625 mm) / 5 years = 0.1 mm/year
The higher value of corrosion rate is (both are the same) = 0.1 mm/year
The Remaining life (years) = (t
actual
t
required
) / corrosion rate
= (9.625 mm) (9.260 mm) / 0.1 mm/year = 3.65 years