RMC-00-100 TESTING PROGRAM FOR HEAT EXCHANGER TUBE TEST OPERATORS

Description:

In the late 1980's, Lyondell began testing heat exchanger tubes with some of the NDE methods being used in the nuclear and refinery industries. Initial results with the various NDE techniques were poor, resulting in both unnecessary retubes and tube failures shortly after inspection. In one instance, a bundle found to have very little wall loss leaked only a few weeks after startup. The main problems were poor understanding of the limitations of the various NDE techniques and the quality of the tube test operator's skill and equipment.