Materials Technology Institute Polymeric Risk-Based Inspection Pilot Project
Becht was selected by the Materials Technology Institute (MTI) to adapt its Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodology to develop an RBI work process for above-ground, fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) storage tanks. The Becht RBI methodology, which complies with API RP 580, was initially used for metallic fixed equipment and has been expanded to other types of equipment. With a successful demonstration on FRP tanks the methodology is expected to be broadened to other non-metallic structures used in the chemical and refining industry.
A major component of the project was to develop damage mechanism documentation for each of the five chemicals / tank construction combinations defined during a project development meeting with the Becht team, MTI project team and a group of FRP subject matter experts. The figure above shows an example graphic which aids the user in identifying tank damage mechanisms.
A simple, user friendly spreadsheet tool to guide the user through the RBI work process has been developed for distribution to MTI members. The spreadsheet tool performs a powerful cost-benefit analysis which compares the economic benefit of mitigation with the cost of the actions selected to mitigate the risk. Mitigation of the Safety, Health and Environmental (S/H/E) risk is also an inherent part of developing the inspection and maintenance plan. The end result of the RBI work process on an individual equipment item is a cost effective inspection and maintenance plan for the FRP storage tank which also has an acceptable S/H/E risk.
The work is groundbreaking in that the developed FRP damage mechanism documentation was the first known effort of this kind. Development of additional damage mechanism documents would be a logical next step to allow the developed RBI work process to be applied to other types of FRP equipment.
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