By: Eng.

Abdel Halim Galala

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; Section—Inspection Data Evaluation, Analysis, and
Recording.

Remaining life (years) = (tactual – trequired) / corrosion rate [inches (mm) per year]

where

tactual = the actual thickness, in inches (millimeters), measured at the time of inspection
for a given location or component.

trequired = the required thickness, in inches (millimeters), at the same location or

component as the tactual 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) = (tinitial – tactual) / time (years) between tinitial and tactual

The short-term (ST) corrosion rate shall be calculated from the following formula:

Corrosion rate (ST) = (tprevious – tactual) / time (years) between tprevious and tactual

tinitial = 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.

tprevious = the thickness, in inches (millimeters), at the same location as tactual measured
during a previous inspection.

Given:

Pipe NPS 30" & tactual = Pipe wall thickness after 15, t15 = 0.3789" (9.625 mm)

Pipe material API 5LX, ERW

Code : ASME B31.8

Nominal pipe wall thickness, tnominal: 0.438" (11.125 mm) = tintial

MAOP 910 psi

SMYS 52 000 psi

Pipe wall thickness after 5 years, t5 = 10.625 mm

Pipe wall thickness after 10 years, t10 = 10.125 mm = tprevious

Required:

Determine the remaining life of pipeline after 15 years of inservice.

Design thickness (Required thickness or Critical thickness), trequired, tr = 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:

trequired = 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) = (tinitial – tactual) / time (years) between tinitial and tactual

= (11.125 mm) – (9.625 mm) / 15 years = 0.1 mm/year

Short term corrosion rate (ST) = (tprevious – tactual) / time (years) between tprevious and tactual

= (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) = (tactual – trequired) / corrosion rate

= (9.625 mm) – (9.260 mm) / 0.1 mm/year = 3.65 years