MC-96-86 INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOFTWARE BASED PIPING FACTS BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE PCMS USER GROUP

Description:

Data analysis software systems are now being utilized in many refineries, chemical plants and exploration and production sites for the management of thickness data on piping and pressure vessels. A software system offers tremendous advantages in the ability to organize information and evaluate results. Use of these systems increases the ability to indicate a problem before a failures actually occurs reducing unplanned shutdowns and lost profit opportunities. Cost reductions for doing thickness inspections can actually result. The software system will spread out the inspection program over a longer time period than a manual program, resulting in reduced costs of data gathering. Using ultrasonic dataloggers in concert with the software will reduce the cost associated with manual data entry and calculation of corrosion rates. Finally a software program which is compliant with industry codes and practices can provide the basis for discussing compliance with regulatory authorities.