How to Minimize Downtime with Frequent Pressure Vessel Inspection?

Regular inspection and maintenance of any industrial equipment and machinery is a must for an increased operational life and boosting production. This is especially true for equipment such as pressure vessels used in high-risk environments and mission-critical applications. High pressure boilers and pressure vessels are used industries pertaining to flow of fluids or gases such as oil & gas, chemical, and food and beverages. Pressure vessel inspection on a periodical basis helps identify issues if any before they become too big to be rectified. This saves on equipment replacement costs and the ones that occur due to production losses and downtime. This post discusses the importance of frequent pressure vessel inspection and the factors you should check for before carrying out the same.

 

Benefits of Carrying Out Periodic High Pressure Boiler Inspection

Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping your boilers and pressure vessels well maintained, regular inspections of pressure vessels are beneficial in many ways. Here are some of the benefits it offers:

  • Boilers or pressure vessels are high-risk equipment and therefore, inspections are necessary. If a flaw is not identified and fixed on time, it may lead to leaks and accidents thus damaging life and property. So, inspections reduce the risk of catastrophic damages.
  • On-time repairs or part replacements help avoid production downtime and subsequent losses.
  • It saves costs in the long run as the rate of urgent replacements and equipment failure reduces.
  • Regular inspections increase the operational life of the pressure vessels.
  • The documents and certifications pertaining to such inspections increase your credibility as a reliable manufacturer.
  • You get a chance to upgrade yourselves with the concerned regulation, standards, codes, and related updates in the law.
  • If you export your products, such certifications prove extremely useful.

Factors to Check before Carrying Out Pressure Vessel Inspection

Inspection of pressure vessels and boilers is complex and you need to have a proper plan in place. Also, you need to follow the necessary safety measures. It is mandatory for the inspecting officer to wear the required safety gear. It is also crucial to know the standards and safety measures set by your local or state government in their legislature, and understand the legal implications associated with it. Here are some factors you can consider before carrying out pressure vessel inspection:

  • Check the registration of the inspector and the documents pertaining to previous inspections of pressure vessels. It is crucial that the inspector carrying out the inspection is certified and registered with the concerned government regulatory body. Before beginning the inspection, you should keep the previous inspection documents ready for the inspector to go through.
  • It is crucial that the pressure boiler construction complies with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards. This also applies for installation of the same.
  • It is crucial to check if the pressure vessel or boiler has undergone any repairs or part replacements. When inspecting, the fittings, connections and controls should be checked thoroughly. This includes valves and gauges, pressure-temperature readings, and water columns.
  • Check the working of safety controls, burners, and limit switches. Also, check the remote shutdown switch and its location. Ideally, it should be placed outside the boiler room.
  • The atmosphere inside the unit, oxygen levels, and temperature of the boiler should be checked with respect to the safety of the operator, as well as the inspector.
  • At least a week before the inspection, the manufacturer should start taking the required steps. These include shutting the ignition systems and fuel supply of the pressure vessel. Aside this, draining the boiler water, locking of valves, removing plugs, and checking for leaks is just as important. It is essential to keep the drains and vents open. Ensure the combustion chambers are cooled.
  • Keep the manufacturer’s sheet handy and refer to it if required.

Are you looking for pressure vessels or boilers for your industrial application? If yes, make sure you check all the parameters following the required industry standards set by ASME, and get them inspected from a known manufacturer or an industry expert. BEPeterson has been in the market for decades and is a custom vacuum chamber manufacturer and supplier and has set expertise in manufacturing pressure vessels. The company has been helping its clients maximize the value of its pressure vessels by guiding them on regular inspections, onsite inspections, as well as expert inspections.

VP of Business Development Dan Szczurko joins the podcast to discuss the pressure vessel business & market segmentation. Furthermore, he gives an overview of the sales process from a customer’s perspective.