API 571 INTRODUCTION (3rd Edition, March 2020)
API 571 is one of the 10 codes that is in the exam syllabus of API 570 Authorized Piping Inspector.
API 571 deals with Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry. As mentioned previously always refer the latest API 570 Exam Publications Effectivity Sheet based on your plan for the exam.
ANSI/API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 571 is a book contains large number of pages. But Only the following sections / mechanisms from RP 571 are included on the exam for API 570:
Section 2 Definitions
3.3 Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking
3.8 Atmospheric Corrosion
3.9 Boiler Water and Stream Condensate Corrosion
3.14 Caustic Corrosion
3.15 Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking
3.17 Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking
3.22 Corrosion Under Insulation
3.27 Erosion/Erosion – Corrosion
3.31 Galvanic Corrosion
3.37 Hydrochloric Acid Corrosion
3.43 Mechanical Fatigue (Including Vibration-induced Fatigue)
3.45 Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion
3.57 Soil Corrosion
3.58 Sour Water Corrosion (Acidic)
3.61 Sulfidation
That means 15 damage mechanisms and section 2, Definitions are to be studied for the API 570 exam.
We will go through each mechanism, one by one, with the important points related to each mechanism.
When you read questions, there may be slight confusion between some mechanisms but it is sure that some particular point will differentiate each mechanism, which has to be clearly understood while reading the code and the questions.
3. Critical Factors
Critical factors for each damage mechanism are to be noted. Example, Critical for the erosion mechanism is the size, shape, hardness and velocity of solid particles present in the fluid.Â
4. Affected units or equipment.
Some particular process equipment’s are affected by some particular mechanisms. Example: Erosion-corrosion plays a major role in catalyst handling piping and equipment in FCCU unit in the refineries.
5. Appearance or Morphology of damage.
There will be some particular appearance for a damage. Example: Calm shell type damage is the appearance of mechanical fatigueÂ
6. Prevention / Mitigation
The aim of the study of the damage mechanism is to understand it and find means to mitigate it.Â
Example: Reduction of velocity or having optimum velocity of the impacting materials will reduce erosion / erosion-corrosionÂ
7. Inspection and Monitoring
Every damage has to be identified and assessed, the common techniques for those has to be known to an inspector.
8. Related Mechanisms
Some damage mechanisms will be known by other names depends on its location, affected area, the affected means etc. Example : Vibration fatigue is a related mechanism of mechanical fatigueÂ
9. ReferencesÂ
As you go through API RP 571, you can see that there are no tables (As per BOK) to refer and calculations to be made. So the questions from this code can be mainly expected in the Closed Book Exam.
Please make notes on the above point of view. We will review each mechanism in the above point of view from the next blog of this series.
This blog is not a replacement for the training provided by authorized partners/experienced institutions nor this blog guarantee success in API exams. This blog is the outcome of the approach followed by the author for the preparation of API exams.Â
Disclaimer: Photos are taken from different websites. If this violates any copyright rules this will be removed. Please inform me if any of the photos or contents violate copyright rules. (through 13hareesh13@gmail.com). This blog is meant for educational purposes only. If it is used for any other means without the written consent from the author, the author will not be responsible. The author does not guarantee the accuracy of the data used in this blog. All the information, data, photo/image, calculations presented in this blog should be used at the sole risk of the user. The blogger is not liable or responsible in any way for any damage, losses or costs arising from the use of the blog for any purpose whatsoever or whosoever it may be. The blog is to be used at your sole risk and responsibility.