Zoom Event – Registration for this Event will be emailed from ICorr HQ nearer the time.

Company: Virtuosity  

Presenter: Kevin McDonald

Effective Pipework analysis and inspection planning using Digital Twins

Integrity of pipework is essential for safe and reliable operation of process plants. Inspections are traditionally performed at large numbers of individual test points with results recorded in an inspection database. In general, this data is subject to relatively simple analysis with the results used in integrity management decisions. However, this traditional approach can be heavily influenced by poor processes, outliers or errors for example; incorrect entry of results, not recording higher thickness readings than those obtained previously, and inconsistencies in inspection location are some examples of how error can be introduced into this process. This could lead to poor integrity decisions. Analysis of pipework data, which is in general restricted to the difference between two thickness readings relative to the dates the readings were taken, can then be driven by measurement error.

A novel alternative is to consider historic datasets as a whole and look at long-term statistical behaviour to consider how corrosion could be affecting pipework. This approach looks at whole datasets to determine behaviour before considering any sub-groupings of data points that are showing similar behaviour. For example, straight sections of vertical pipework may be showing higher evidence of corrosion than other feature types. Considering sub-groupings of features within a pipework circuit has several benefits: a more representative statistical corrosion rate can be calculated per sub-group that will yield better insight into corrosion behaviour, an illustration of points that could have been over inspected or under inspected, and information on features that may be of concern on other circuits. This methodology can deliver more efficient and targeted inspections, which represents significant cost savings in the form of lower inspection costs, and better planning of when repair or replacement may be necessary.

This approach is underpinned by simple and effective access to the data, which is linked to a 3D mini digital twin. The mini-Twin also hosts a variety of data, as well as individual test points, corrosion maps, can house inspection histories, photographs, and further data analysis or corrosion rates, fitness for service etc. The 3D is used to present data in efficient ways to quickly provide an overview of the health of the pipework circuit, for example inspection frequency, inspection count, corrosion rates, all of which is valuable information for engineers and asset stakeholders.