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petroleum (crude oil or condensate recovered from underground reservoir) is processed and
refined. Petroleum when recovered as crude is not of much use for industrial or fuel
consumption until impurities are removed from it and it is separated into useful products –
solids, liquids and gases.
The Petroleum Tree (origin 1943) illustrated in figure below indicates the numerous useful
industrial and fuel products which are obtained from the crude oil when it gets processed in a
petroleum refinery.
Petroleum refinery comes under midstream companies and is a high value asset. The products
that are handled are inflammable which require adherence to Compliance Standards posing
compliance obligations defined by relevant authorities in most parts of the world.
Some of the important technical standards which are directly related to plant-and-piping as
well as process handling of refinery are listed here for awareness of reader:
Fire Protection
API RP 752: Management of Hazards Associated With Location of Process Plant Buildings
API 750: Management of Process Hazards
API RP 2001: Fire Protection in Refineries
API Publ 2218: Fireproofing Practices in Petroleum & Petrochemical Processing Plants
NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
NFPA 58: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
API RP 2021: Title Fighting Fires in and Around Flammable and Combustible Liquid
Atmospheric Petroleum Storage Tanks
API Pub 2510: Title Fire protection consideration for the design and operation of LPG
Storage Facilities
Petroleum refineries have been successfully operating under the guidelines provided by
above mentioned API, IEC, NFPA, BS, ASME and ASTMpublications. Major portions of
petroleum refineries consist of line pipe, fittings, valves, piping, tanks, filter separators, heat
exchangers, distillation towers, flare stacks, steel structures, electrical cabling, switchgear,
instrumentation etc.
Majority of failures or accidents in refineries have been reported due to damage or failure of
these static plant equipment. Mechanical failure of static equipment in refineries can only be
prevented through regular oil and gas asset inspection and monitoring by qualified personnel
as part of reliability centered maintenance (preventive plus condition based monitoring).
Use of thermal imaging provides very good indication of material, process and mechanical
obtained results over time – invaluable data for preventive maintenance initiatives with
significant cost savings.
Click to Download White Paper on How to Implement Preventive Maintenance In Oil & Gas
Industry through Drone Inspections
Using Infrared thermography in oil and gas industry increases the refinery operators’
knowledge of the condition of their equipment, thus enabling them to make more accurate
and informed decisions. It is well-known that when every other method fails, thermal
imaging can still spot the problem. Following are a few examples:
IR thermal imaging can provide accurate and time-saving inspections of electrical cabinets.
Thermal imaging is now an important tool for electrical inspections in refineries. A power
failure can result in expensive shut downs, and a much greater danger: FIRE.
IR thermal imaging is a valuable tool to detect heat loss from steam traps and leaks.
IR thermal imaging accurately determines refractory lining problems. Refractory is an inner
lining, consisting of high-temperature resistant materials which protect the outer shell of
piping, vessels, and process furnaces from hot gases and fluids circulating inside the plant.
When the refractory lining fails, the steel-made shell will quickly be weakened by heat and
internal pressure, posing a significant threat of failure of the equipment. Loss of containment,
environmental contamination and a significant risk of fires can result.
IR thermal imaging help in detection of buildup of solids in piping which can cause
significant deterioration of process flow.
IR thermal imaging is vital for upkeep of tank storage by keeping watch on leaks as a result
of ageing assets or corroding tanks.
IR thermal imaging can effectively detect hazardous gases emitted by some refinery
processes that can harm the environment and impede the health of company employees and
inhabitants of the surrounding area.
IR thermal imaging is a cost effective option when used in conjunction with a consistent
infrared thermography program and appropriate professional and reliable equipment.
Industrial Skyworks provide oil and gas drone inspection services, Non-destructive
Examination (NDT / NDE) and data acquisition services for civil structures and static / fixed
assets of refineries. These drone-based field investigations provide invaluable information to
the operational and maintenance managers with following added advantages:
Timely reporting and investigation of damage / material loss when carried out under a
defined schedule.
Enhanced personnel safety by avoiding close proximity of humans to hazardous environment
and dangerous locations.
Firsthand information by supervisor / manager without the need to visit site location.
Provides access to inspectors for investigations without refinery shutdown requirements.
May be the only option for data acquisition under an emergency / accident situation.