API RP 970

Abstract

This recommended practice (RP) provides users with the basic elements for developing, implementing, and maintaining a Corrosion Control Document for refining, and at the owner\'s discretion, may be applied at petrochemical and chemical process facilities. A Corrosion Control Document (CCD) is a document or other repository or system that contains all the necessary information required to understand materials damage susceptibility issues in a specific type of operating process unit at a plant site. CCDs are a valuable addition to an effective Mechanical Integrity Program. They help to identify the damage mechanism susceptibilities of pressure-containing piping and equipment, factors that influence damage mechanism susceptibilities, and recommended actions to mitigate the risk of loss of containment or unplanned outages. This recommended practice serves as the basis for tracking CCD development, implementation, and maintenance to maintain consistency and to integrate the CCD work process with other plant integrity programs, such as Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazards Analysis (PHA), and Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM). Some of these programs have significant overlap with the development of CCDs, including Risk-based Inspection studies (see API RP 580 and RP 581), Integrity Operating Windows (see API RP 584), in-house unit corrosion reviews, circuitization/systemization programs, and similar types of corrosion studies. Development of CCDs can serve as a useful starting point for establishing these programs if they have not been undertaken. This document provides the owner/user with information and guidance on the work processes for development and implementation of CCDs for the owners’/users’ process units. While some generic examples are provided in the text and in 5.9, this document does not contain a complete list of unit-specific CCDs or operating plant variables for the numerous types of hydrocarbon processing units in the industry. The rigor of review, the level of documentation, and even the need to develop a CCD will depend on the complexity of the process unit under consideration and the inherent risk associated with the process. It is the responsibility of the facility owner/user to determine the level of detail contained within their CCD. The scope of this standard includes: — descriptions of CCDs and definitions of related terminology; — creating, establishing, and maintaining CCDs; — data and information typically needed to create CCDs; — descriptions of the various types of CCDs needed for process units; — documenting and implementing CCDs; — reviewing, changing and updating CCDs; — integrating CCDs with other risk management practices; — roles and responsibilities in the CCD work process; and — knowledge transfer to all stakeholders. Typical CCDs cover the pressure-containing components of fixed equipment. The types of equipment and associated components typically covered by CCDs are: — pressure vessels, — process piping, — storage tanks atmospheric and pressurized, — process heaters pressurized components, and — heat exchangers. The following equipment is not typically covered by CCDs, but may be at the user’s option: — instrument and control systems, — pressure relief devices, — pressure vessel internals, — machinery components, — pump casings and valve bodies, — stacks/flues, — electrical systems, and — structural systems. However, these systems and components may be covered by other types of Risk-based Inspection (RBI) or risk assessment work processes, such as RCM. This recommended practice outlines the essential elements in defining, monitoring, and maintaining CCDs as a vital component of corrosion management (damage mechanism control strategies) and inspection planning, including RBI. This RP does not address process operating windows established for normal process control, for the purposes of maintaining product quality, or for other operating factors unrelated to control for the purpose of maintaining equipment integrity and reliability. However, the contents of a comprehensive, good quality CCD can be the basis for establishing Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs) in accordance with API RP 584. This RP is a guideline document for organizing Corrosion Control Documents. The owner/user of this RP may also develop internal documents that detail how their company will create and implement the processes suggested herein. Section 5 contains key points for establishing a site procedure that documents the CCD work process. NOTE Even though CCDs are labeled “Documents” for the purposes of this RP, it is recognized that much of the suggested content of a CCD may, in fact, reside in separate folders and electronic information storage sites. These separate folders and electronic information storage sites may be considered suitable alternatives to creating a separate or standalone CCD. It is not the intention of this RP to require operators to create a new document, but instead to have the components discussed in this document available for use in a work process covering integrity management.