S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.

COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

1. The application of API 510 is restricted to organization that:

a. Fabricate or build pressure vessels according to ASME B & PV Code.
b. Employ or have access to an authorized inspection agency.
c. Manufacture or inspect pressure vessels according to NBIC.
d. Hire or have access to an unsanctioned inspection agency.

2. API 510 Inspection Code is only applicable to pressure vessels used by the petroleum and
chemical process industries that:
a. are being fabricated for the petroleum/chemical industries.
b. can be fabricated to ASME B&PV Code and inspected by NBIC inspectors.
c. will be place in service after fabrication to the ASME B&PV Code.
d. have been placed in service; inspected and/or repaired by an authorized agency.

3. The following is an example of a pressure vessel not excluded from coverage by API 510.
(All of the vessels are in-service)
a. Pressure vessel on an ocean-going ship, operates at 100 psig & 100 F.
b. Pressure vessel in a oil refinery, operates at 5 psig and 70 F.
c. Pressure vessel in a oil refinery, operates at 100 psig and 200 F.
d. Pressure vessel in a oil refinery, vol. of 4 cu ft & operates at 70 psig and 70 F.

4. The term “minimum allowable shell thickness” is the thickness:

a. essential for the shell and heads of a vessel.
b. required for each element of a vessel.
c. necessary for the shell of a vessel.
d. including the corrosion allowance for the shell of a vessel.

5. _____________ may occur if equipment is subjected to temperatures above those for

which it is designed.
a. Creep
b. Brittle fracture
c. Stress Corrosion
d. Erosion

6. The period between internal or on-stream inspections shall not exceed one-half the
estimated remaining life of the vessel based on corrosion rate or ___________ years
whichever is less.
a. 10
b. 15
c. 5
d. 12

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 S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.
COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

7. A pressure vessel has been in service for 12 years and has shown a history of corrosion
over its service life. The original thickness was 1.9375” thick and the present thickness is
1.405”. What is the corrosion rate for this vessel?
a. 0.266250 inches/year
b. 0.532500 inches/year
c. 0.088750 inches/year
d. 0.044375 inches/year

8. What is the maximum inspection interval of pressure-relieving devices?

a. 15 years
b. 12 years
c. 10 years
d. 20 years

9. The following is not normally found in pressure vessel records.

a. Manufacturers data reports
b. Vessel identification numbers
c. Piping past the first vessel flange
d. Relief valve information

10. What type of repairs can an authorized inspector give prior general authorization for ?
a. major repairs that require pressure tests.
b. alterations that require pressure tests.
c. major alterations that require pressure tests.
d. limited or routine repairs that will not require pressure tests.

11. The repair organization shall maintain records of its qualified welding procedures and its
welding performance qualifications. These records shall be available to the _________
prior to the start of welding.
a. operator
b. Owner-user
c. welder
d. inspector

12. For alterations or repairs of vessel initially post weld heat treated as a code requirement
and constructed of P-1 and P-3 steels listed in the ASME Code, preheating to not less
than _______ degree F may be considered as an alternative to PWHT.
a. 200
b. 300
c. 400
d. 500

13. A pressure test is normally required after:

a. an alteration
b. a repair
c. a lightning strike
d. a unit upset

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 S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.
COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

14. The minimum number of TML’s on any given vessel is:

a. determine by the API 510 Inspector
b. determined by the owner/user
c. at least one
d. at least 4 on each shell and head

15. If a short-term corrosion rate reflects a 0.001” per year corrosive environment currently
exists and the long-term corrosion rate is 0.009” per year, the corrosion rate used in
calculating the inspection interval should be:
a. the long term
b. the short term
c. both terms
d. as defined by the Inspector for the process

16. Risk Based Inspection may be conducted to evaluate:

a. consequence of a failure
b. likelihood of a failure
c. possibility of a failure
d. a & b above

17. A pressure vessel has an established corrosion rate of 0.012” per year. The vessel was last
inspected in 2001 and had a measured wall thickness of 0.375 “ per year. The minimum
required thickness for this vessel based on calculation performed in accordance with the
original construction code is 0.265” per year. Utilizing this information, what is the
remaining life of this pressure vessel?
a. 9 years
b. 5 years
c. 15 years
d. 7 years

18. A pressure vessel was placed into service in 1989 and was constructed with a design
thickness of 0.750”. In 2001 the wall thickness was measured at 0.630”. Based on this
information and a minimum thickness of 0.550”, when is the next internal inspection due
to this pressure vessel?
a. 4 years
b. 2 years
c. 8 years
d. 10 years.

19. The most common material used to construct pressure vessel is:
a. titanium
b. austenitic stainless steel
c. monel
d. carbon steel

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 S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.
COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

20. Which of the following may cause the improper performance of a pressure-relieving
device?
a. Damaged seating surfaces
b. Failed springs
c. Rough handling
d. All of the above

21. Which of the following pressure-relieving devices would be used to protect the upstream
side of pressure relief valve against corrosion?
a. Safety Valve
b. Relief Valve
c. Rupture Disk
d. Conventional Safety Relief Valve

22. An inspection or testing of a pressure relieving device is required by API 510 at least
every ________ years maximum
a. 7
b. 10
c. 15
d. 20

23. When a pressure relief valve is first received in the shop, what should be done prior to
dismantling?
a. dismantle and clean the valve
b. check the valve spring for corrosion
c. dip the valve in a cleaning solution
d. test pop the valve to determine the “as received” relieving pressure

24. Which of the following should be on a pressure relieving device’s identification tag?
a. Test dates
b. Unit designation
c. Set pressure
d. All of the above

25. Which of the following pressure relieving devices would be used to protect the upstream
side of a pressure relief valve against corrosion?
a. Safety valve
b. Relief valve
c. Rupture Disk
d. Conventional Safety Relief Valve

26. What normally causes the failure of pressure relief valve springs?
a. Over tightening of the set screw
b. Improper assembly
c. Lack of maintenance
d. Corrosion

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 S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.
COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

27. Which of the following types of heads will normally require the greatest wall thickness?
a. 2:1 elliptical head
b. Dished torispherical
c. Hemispherical head
d. Flat head

28. The symbol “HT” on a pressure vessel nameplate indicates:

a. Vessel was hammer tested
b. Whole vessel was Post Weld Heat Treated
c. Vessel is good for high temperature
d. Vessel was hydrotested

29. A welded carbon steel joint has an MDMT that is colder than 120 F, at what governing
thickness must impact materials always be used?
a. > 4 in
b. < 2 in
c. 6 in
d. 3 in

30. Which of the following are classified as service restrictions under Section VIII, Div. 1?
a. Lethal
b. Vessel operating below certain temperatures
c. Unfired steam boilers exceeding 50 PSI
d. All of the above.

31. Longitudinal welded joint within the main shell or nozzles are Category ________
a. C
b. D
c. A
d. B

32. When performing thickness calculations for shells and tubes under of a under external
what value must first be determined?
a. L/Do ratio
b. D/D ratio
c. Do/t ratio
d. t/Do ratio

33. A pressure vessel is to be hydrostatically tested in accordance with the ASME code. The
MAWP is 654 PSI. Sd = 8600 PSI and St = 17500 PSI. What is the minimum required
test pressure?
a. 981
b. 818
c. 1730
d. 1308

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 S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.
COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

34. A torispherical head is connected to a seamless vessel with a single welded butt joint with
backing. The seam has been welded by single welder, and is spot radiographed per UW
11 (a) (5) (b).
What is the type of joint, joint category and joint efficiency factor?
a. Type 1, Cat. D, E=0.85
b. Type 2, Cat. B, E=1.0
c. Type 2, Cat. A, E=1.0
d. Type 2, Cat. B, E=0.85

35. A vessel’s cylindrical shell has corroded down to 0.25” in thickness. The cylinder is 40”
OD with an unsupported length of 10’. Design temperature is 300 F, and the material
yield strength is 30,000 psi. What is the allowable external pressure allowed on this
vessel?
a. 38 psi (approximately)
b. 45 psi (approximately)
c. 12 psi (approximately)
d. 23 psi (approximately)

36. A vertical pressure vessel in water service with Type 1 Category “A” long seam welds is
10’ seam/seam, is made from ½” thick SA 516 Gr. 70 material (S=17,500), is stamped for
an MAWP of 100 psig @ 650 F, and is also stamped as RT-3 (satisfies spot RT rules)
with an ID of 60”. What is the actual minimum thickness of this vessel, including
hydrostatic head.
a. 0.211”
b. 0.250”
c. 0.350”
d. 0.360”

37. What is the required thickness of a seamless flat, unstayed circular head with a diameter
(or short span) of 24”, an internal design pressure of 250 psig @ 650 F, with material of
SA 105 (S=17,500) ? Attachment is as shown in Fig. UG-34 (A), and the inside corner
radius is not less than three times the required head thickness.
a. 1.1”
b. 1.9”
c. 2.1”
d. 1.66”

38. A pressure vessel head is thinned at the knuckle radius to 0.250 thick. The head is
attached to the vessel with a type 1 joint that is fully RT and operated at 600 F. The head
is a 2:1 elliptical head with an ID of 45” and is made from SA 285 Gr. C (S=13,800)
material. What MAWP can be operated on this head, with no static head consideration?
a. 175 psi
b. 153 psi
c. 190 psi
d. 142 psi

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 S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.
COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

39. What is the minimum thickness required for a pressure vessel that is stamped with a 600
psig @ 500F MAWP, is 70” OD, complies with the rules for spot RT, has Type 2 joint, is
made from SA 516 Gr. 60 (S=15,000) material and is 25’ high in water service?
a. 1.950”
b. 1.074”
c. 1.560”
d. 1.746”

40. An 80” ID vessel is Full RT, is 1” thick and is made from SA 516 Gr. 70 (S=17,500)
material with Type #1 joints with an MAWP of 150 psig @ 600 F. If this vessel corrodes at
an even rate of 1/8” per year, how many years may the vessel operate within the principals of
the ASME Code?
a. 5.24 years
b. 2.62 years
c. 10.48 years
d. 3.15 years

41. A pressure vessel is currently 0.370” thickness 10 years from now the vessel is scheduled
to be inspected again. The stress is 17,100 psi and the vessel is stamped RT-2 with Type 2
longitudinal weld seams. The last thickness measurements (5 years ago) reflected that the
vessel was 0.407” thick. If the vessel is 72” ID and the corrosion rate is expected to continue,
what MAWP should be allowed on the vessel per API 510 Para 6.4?
a. 98 psi
b. 150 psi
c. 180 psi
d. 200 psi

42. A pressure vessel has been inspected and found to be thinned over a 20” long area,
parallel with the long seam. Thickness readings in this area are 0.275”, 0.279”, 0.280”,
0.290” and 0.295”. Original thickness is 0.375”. The vessel is now 11 years old. MAWP is 80
psig @ 100 F, 24” ID and material stress is 16,800. Joint efficiency is 0.85.

1. What is the minimum shell thickness?

2. What is the longest dimension that can be corrosion averaged per API 510?
3. What is the internal or on stream inspection interval for the vessel based on the
above?

a. 1. 0.067” , 2. 12” , 3. 10 years

b. 1. 0.100” , 2. 6” , 3. 10 years
c. 1. 0.500” , 2. 2.44” , 3. 10 years
d. 1. 0.050” , 2. 2.14” , 3. 10 years

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 S.E.M INSPECTION SDN. BHD.
COMPANY NO.: 372496-D

API 510 QUESTIONS

43. A vessel is ultrasonically checked on the shell in 1990 and is 0.637” thick. This same
spot is checked again in 1996 and is 0.607” thick. It is on-stream inspected again in 1999 and
is 0.509” thick. What is the remaining life of this vessel if the maximum thickness is 0.411”
thick?
a. 1.5 years
b. 2.7 years
c. 3.2 years
d. 6.4 years

44. A 30” ID vessel is fully RT, has type 1 joints, is 0.500” thick and is stamped for an
MAWP of 100 psig @ 300 deg. F with a corrosion allowance of 1/16” and minimum
temperature of -40 deg F. If the material is SA 516 Gr. 70 (not normalized), does this vessel
require impact testing? (A reduction stress ratio of 1.0 will be used, per UCS 66.1)
a. yes, requires impact testing
b. no, does not require impact testing
c. exempted from impact per UG-20 (f)
d. not enough information provided

45. A stationary vessel is made from SA 516 Gr. 70 plate that has been normalized. The
MDMT is 30 deg F @ 470 psig. The actual material thickness is 3.0” thick, and the vessel ID
is 48” and the joint efficiency is 1.0. Does this material require impact testing?
a. yes
b. no
c. not enough information
d. none of the above