Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe Supports
Petrochemical facilities and refineries consist of many miles of above ground piping that transports product between processing and storage units. These pipes are either supported at ground level or in multi-story pipe racks on varying types and sizes of supporting structures. A common problem...
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NDT.net
2025-03-01
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| Series: | e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing |
| Online Access: | https://www.ndt.net/search/docs.php3?id=30837 |
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| author | Sachin Sajeev Arun Nair |
| author_facet | Sachin Sajeev Arun Nair |
| author_sort | Sachin Sajeev |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Petrochemical facilities and refineries consist of many
miles of above ground piping that transports product
between processing and storage units. These pipes are
either supported at ground level or in multi-story pipe
racks on varying types and sizes of supporting structures.
A common problem these structures create is corrosion and
erosion at the junction between the pipe and the support,
which reduces the remaining wall thickness of the pipe and
compromises the integrity of the entire system. Corrosion
Under Pipe Support (CUPS) also known as Touchpoint
Corrosion is a widespread issue within the industry that
has caused in-service leaks and ruptures. Crevice corrosion
is the mechanism were by which CUPS are initiated in a
pipeline. Water entrapment at metal to metal contact leads
to crevice corrosion. Minimizing the area of contact
between support and pipe is effective in reducing the CUPS.
A solution for the quantitative measurement of CUPS is a
major requirement of the industry. Visual Inspection can
provide an indication of corrosion (product build-up) but
it is significantly hampered by the lack of access to the
critical areas. Line Lifting of a potentially corroded
pipe from its support for direct examination is dangerous
on live process lines. Hence it is necessary to use
advanced NDT methods that can provide information on the
severity of the CUPS without removal of the supports which
would eliminate the need for a shutdown. CUPS is basically
a hidden, inaccessible corrosion which cannot be
quantified with simple NDT Techniques.
GUL’s QSR-1 is a promising solution for the CUPS.
Quantitative measurement of the corrosion is achievable
with QSR-1. A study was done at our workshop with QSR-1 on
a 10-inch pipe with artificial corrosion patches. Sizing
capability for various defect orientation along the pipe
circumference was also studied. The technology was used to
inspect 20-inch cooling water header line for one of the
prominent clients.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-32f3de268bd54f699aaf379b6fa84a41 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1435-4934 |
| language | deu |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | NDT.net |
| record_format | Article |
| series | e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing |
| spelling | doaj-art-32f3de268bd54f699aaf379b6fa84a412025-08-20T03:09:31ZdeuNDT.nete-Journal of Nondestructive Testing1435-49342025-03-0130310.58286/30837Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe SupportsSachin SajeevArun Nair Petrochemical facilities and refineries consist of many miles of above ground piping that transports product between processing and storage units. These pipes are either supported at ground level or in multi-story pipe racks on varying types and sizes of supporting structures. A common problem these structures create is corrosion and erosion at the junction between the pipe and the support, which reduces the remaining wall thickness of the pipe and compromises the integrity of the entire system. Corrosion Under Pipe Support (CUPS) also known as Touchpoint Corrosion is a widespread issue within the industry that has caused in-service leaks and ruptures. Crevice corrosion is the mechanism were by which CUPS are initiated in a pipeline. Water entrapment at metal to metal contact leads to crevice corrosion. Minimizing the area of contact between support and pipe is effective in reducing the CUPS. A solution for the quantitative measurement of CUPS is a major requirement of the industry. Visual Inspection can provide an indication of corrosion (product build-up) but it is significantly hampered by the lack of access to the critical areas. Line Lifting of a potentially corroded pipe from its support for direct examination is dangerous on live process lines. Hence it is necessary to use advanced NDT methods that can provide information on the severity of the CUPS without removal of the supports which would eliminate the need for a shutdown. CUPS is basically a hidden, inaccessible corrosion which cannot be quantified with simple NDT Techniques. GUL’s QSR-1 is a promising solution for the CUPS. Quantitative measurement of the corrosion is achievable with QSR-1. A study was done at our workshop with QSR-1 on a 10-inch pipe with artificial corrosion patches. Sizing capability for various defect orientation along the pipe circumference was also studied. The technology was used to inspect 20-inch cooling water header line for one of the prominent clients. https://www.ndt.net/search/docs.php3?id=30837 |
| spellingShingle | Sachin Sajeev Arun Nair Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe Supports e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing |
| title | Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe Supports |
| title_full | Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe Supports |
| title_fullStr | Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe Supports |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe Supports |
| title_short | Challenges and Solution for Corrosion under Pipe Supports |
| title_sort | challenges and solution for corrosion under pipe supports |
| url | https://www.ndt.net/search/docs.php3?id=30837 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sachinsajeev challengesandsolutionforcorrosionunderpipesupports AT arunnair challengesandsolutionforcorrosionunderpipesupports |