6th MENDT Conference and Exhibition 2012

October 7-10, 2012, Bahrain

SAUDI ARAMCO NDT METHODS APPLICATION ON HEAT EXCHANGERS

Fawaz A. Al-Khuliawi

Saudi Arabian Oil Company

PO Box 6835, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT:

Inspection Nondestructive Testing (NDT) techniques are vital to determine the continuity
of Heat Exchanger operation in plants, there are a wide ranges of NDT selection that may
vary slightly from one manufacturer to other in stages of heat exchangers fabrication, and
even more selection of NDT methods once it comes in repairing heat exchanger. Saudi
Aramco Heat Exchanger Shops is receiving with an averaged 289 units/year and intensively
depends on NDT techniques to accept the provided services. This paper will describe
Nondestructive Testing (NDT) applications for Saudi Aramco Heat Exchangers and how to
choose between various NDT and addresses the advantages through success cases and
strategic partnership to maintain reliable services.

INTRODUCTION
Inspection is done to determine metallurgical structure, mechanical properties and
corrosion resistance of used material in manufacturing Heat Exchanger. These materials
should be suitable for the operating conditions for the operating condition they will be
subjected to during their service life. It should be possible to subject these materials to the
various fabrication processes, such as bending, welding or forming and without improperly
impairing the material properties, in which inspection or testing helps determining that the
material being used as designed parameters.
Saying that, the two main types for testing are either to destroy the material (Destructive)
or not destroying the material as Nondestructive Testing. Taking in to consideration, there
are cases required to conduct destructive testing when Nondestructive Testing fail. There
are several types of nondestructive testing, the ASME code Section V and section VIII
(American society of Mechanical engineers) specifies basic techniques; Radiographic
examination, Ultrasonic examination, liquid penetrant examination, magnetic particle
examination, eddy current examination, visual examination and leak/hydrostatic/pneumatic
testing.
In the field of heat exchangers whether it is manufactured or repaired, inspection side will
certainly use one or more of above NDT method, these are very important activities to
helps in locating the faults on material surface or subsurface; such as discontinuities,
changes in thickness, nicks, or even in welding joints of slag entrapment, porosity, cracks,
lack of penetration, under cutting,,,etc. below are illustrations of some damaged and likely
location of corrosion on heat exchangers components..

Figure 1: Tube Pitting

Figure 2: ErosionCorrosion Attack at Tube

Ends

Figure 3: Pitting in
Channel

Figure 4: sever corrosion in Air cooled HE Frame and partition plate

Figure 5: excessive clearance between baffle and tubes from accelerated corrosion cause mechanical damage
and vibration

Figure 6: Graphitic corrosion & a 6 oclock crack on tube and thinning at tube wall by erosion at tuber inner

Figure 7: Fouling with and corrosion beneath marine growth

Figure 8:Tube Sheet Corroded Beneath

Marine Growth

Figure 9: Internal Corrosion in a Pressure Vessel

Figure 11 : Erosion in a UBend tube

Figure 10 :Hydrogen Blistering

HEAT EXCHANGER REPAIR PROCESS

The heat exchanger vessel is imperative to plant operation in Petroleum Industries
Operations, to some extent in shutdown, the plant operation turn to potential loss or even
to some Plant to actual loss, where it is a role to Saudi Aramco Heat Exchanger Shop to
exert all its resources to provide reliable, cost effective, and timely services.
Maintaining heat exchanger(s) can be cost effective if it is planned ahead by forecasting
the required material and proper scope of work, and determine inspection plan to meet the
3

deadlines. Inspection agency plays role to return the heat exchanger back to services or
maintenance cost raise questions such as, Shall we go for replacing individual tubes, Shall
we partially retube or Shall we fully retubes?,
Shop maintenance process is falls under key steps of starting with,
Receiving the vessel
Collecting all required documents
Dismantling of components
Cleaning and thoroughly performing inspection to design requirement(s)
Then follow with the repairing scope of work, boxing back all components, and
hydrotesting, including inspection holding point at each major steps
These steps determine the lead time to complete the repair for any vessel(s), in which shop
practices requires to exploit any task helps to improve the turnaround time. The following
are major NDT methods and practices that demonstrates inspection technique.

Photos 1 & 2

Receiving Heat Exchanger and Removing Tube Bundle

Photos 3 & 4

Dismantling the Heat Exchanger and Steam Cleaning Tubebundle

Photos 5 & 6

Fabricating Tubesheet and Welding Damaged Header Thread

Photos 7 & 8

Tube-to-Tubesheet Joint by Seal Welded & Expanded

Photos 9

Hydrotesting of Repaired Heat Exchanger

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
This NDT method is used to examine the welded joint in the metal using Radiation
source (most frequently of iridium). The radiation source is placed on one sidke while the
film is placed in holder on the other side of the weld to be examined as showing on Figure
12.

Figure 12: X-Ray Radiography, single wall, No Reinforcement, Side

And Top Views Of Hole-Type IQI Placements
The examination is used for heat exchanger designed to contain lethal substance, operating
at high pressure, or heat exchanger that made out of thick plates (38 mm or above), or heat
exchanger that required to have a minimum thickness by increase welded joint efficiency,
This can be demonstrated in such as, to determine for instance the vessel that has
MAWP(Maximum Allowable Working Pressure) of design pressure 370 psig, E=1,
Material of construction ASTM515Gr70, Corrosion Allowance 3 mm, and shell diameter
1200 mm. to use the following formula
t

PR
1
SE 0.6 P
5

Where,
P= Internal Design Pressure
S= Maximum Allowable Stress Value
E= Joint efficiency
t= Minimum required thickness of shell
R=Inside radius of the shell
Using formula 1, the shell thickness may be selected of 16 mm for E=1, and for E=.85,
the thickness may be selected to be 18 mm, where E is determined by ASME (American
Society of Mechanical Engineers) rule, when it if fully radiography, or spot radiography
or Partial Radiography. The method limitation is requiring to protective precautions to
protect personnel is surroundings area, the method requires to maintain government
license to use isotopes.
ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION
For detecting defect in welds and plate material and for gaging thickness of plates
High frequency sound impulses are transmitted through a search unit, usually a quartz
crystal. The search unit is held in close contact with the part being tested, using an
intermediary such as oil or glycerine to exclude air. The sound waves pass through the
part being tested are reflected from the opposite side or from a defect. The time of travel
shols the defect on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or scope, in which can also measure
depth of crack or defect. Although the impulse instrument used to detect defects and will
also give thickness measurements. The resonance instrument is actually an electronic
micrometer designed to measure thickness from one side of material within tolerances of
0.051 mm ( 0.002 in). the benefit of Ultrasonic Examination (UT) is handy as it is
portable equipment, and can access from one side of part being tested possible, the
thickness measurements are rapidly made, and good for detection laminated plates. Yet,
It not very effective on welds with backing rings requires to have smooth surface, in
addition a photographs must be taken to provide permanent records.

Figure 13: detection ultrasound

through transmission, A Scan
and B Scan
6

Figure 14: Tubesheet being in fabrication process after UT check

One of area that Saudi Aramco Heat Exchanger shop benefits for using this method is to
meet Seams weld requirement in which was cut, rewelded and inspected using Phase
Array testing NDT method (Phased arrays consist of number of ultrasonic elements
arranged in a single instrument. The multiple elements are used to create an ultrasonic
beam. The beam can be steered to optimize the orientation of the beam to the object
being studied, which increase the probability of detection of flaws), phased array technique
was used instead of X-ray for post welded of tubesheet/shell joint without removing the
newly inserted tubes out from the shell. The outcome of achieving these tasks had added
value to safety for avoiding the radiation source out of using RT as well as reducing the
turnaround time.

Figure 15: Gas-Gas Heat Exchanger and Phased Array Inspection Technique

EDDY CURRENT EXAMINATION

This method is based upon the principles involving circulating currents into an
electrically conductive article and observing the interaction between the article and the
currents. This method mainly exploit for non-ferrous tube material, the method detects
small discontinuities with high speed, accurate measurement of conductivity to check
variation in wall thickness, however, it is limited to use with conductive materials or
7

conductive base materials, the depth of penetration restricts testing to depths of less than
in in most cases. The presence of strong magnetic fields will cause erroneous readings, in
which required to training for interpretations of visual defects and indications.

Figure 16: Using Eddy Current for inspection Incoloy Tube

PENETRANT EXAMINATION
This method is widely used in industry and classified in either using Dye or Fluorescent;
for penetrant inspection (dye) for locating surface defects, where a liquid dye penetrant is
applied to a dry clean surface and allowed to soak long enough to penetrate only surface
defects. After a time internal of up to 1 hour, the excess penetrant is wiped off or cleaned
with a cleaner and a thin coating of developer is applied. The penetrant entrapped in defect
will be drawn to the surface by developer, and the defect will be indicated by the contrast
between the color of the penetrant and that of the developer, as far for Penetrant inspection
in Florescent, which is using for locating defects that run through the surface, in penetrant
to be applied by sparing, dripping, or brushing,. The excess penetrant is washed from
surface with a water spray or other appropriate solution to allow the surface then to dry.
Dry powder or water-suspension developer is applied to part to draw penetrant to surface.
Penetrant glows under black (ultraviolet) light. For leak test, penetrant is applied to one
side, and the other side is examined under black light indications of glow.
The advantage of Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection is easy to perform, defects show
clearly under black light. The limitation however in Penetrant inspection, it is only detect
the defects that are open to the surface, in which add another cons which is not practical on
rough surfaces. And for fluorescent, the black light requires a source of electricity, and
applied only for nonmagnetic material, and not very effective as lead test for plates more
than inch thick.

Bleed out viewed under

white light

Figure 17: Penetrant inspection application in heat exchanger tubesheet and headers
after weld buildup repair.
MAGNETIC PARTICLE EXAMINATION
This method Magnetic particle (MT) is for locating surface and sub-surface defects that
are not too deep. The technique employs either electric coils wound around the part or
prods to create a magnetic field. A magnetic powder applied to the surface will show up
defects as local magnetic fields. The nature of the defects will be revealed by the way the
powder is attracted. The advantages of using MT is useful for the inspection of nozzle and
manhole welds for which radiography would be difficult at best and most impossible, the
vantage to detect small surface defects especially once weld repair took place in defects.
MT can also use to detect laminations at plate edges.
The limitation of MT is used only for magnetic material. It is also not suitable for detects
parallel to magnetic field.

A crack like indication

Figure 18: yoke technique of Magnetic particle (MT)

VISUAL EXAMINATION
This method is done to determine the surface condition and shape of plates, tubes,
fabricated parts, thus to check the alignment of mating surfaces or to look for leaks when
performing leak test, pneumatic or hydrostatic test.
There are major different methods for leak testing. These are done along with apparatus;
- Gas and bubble formation testing (Gas; air, nitrogen or helium) and bubble forming
solution, pressure indicator.
- Vacuum box testing; vacuum box, vacuum creating equipment, and vacuum
indicator.
- Halogen diode detector testing (Sniffer method)
- Helium mass spectrometer testing (reverse probe-sniffer method or hood method)
Hydrostatic testing is using water to ascertain whether the heat exchanger will withstand
the design pressure at the design temperature without developing any leaks. The heat
exchanger is using to 1.3 or 1.5 (depend on year or code design) times the maximum design
pressure multiplied by the lowest ratio for the Heat Exchanger construction materials of the
stress value at the test temperature to that at the design temperature. The typically number
for testing shell and tube heat exchanger are three times, thus to check free leaks at
gaskets.

Figure 19: Designated Gaskets areas for hydrostatic Testing

Pneumatic Testing is using air to ascertain whether the heat exchanger will withstand the
design pressure at the design temperature without developing any leaks. It has advantage to
be performed when the heat exchanger cannot safely be filled with water to conduct a
hydrostatic or cannot be completely drained and dried of water after a hydrostatic test. This
of course with highly consideration that the pneumatic test results in a reduced stress level
since it is conducted at a pressure lower that for the hydrostatic test. In addition, the
pneumatic is more dangerous and should be performed in precaution to certain set pressure.
The air compresses a lot more than does water when it is pressurized, hence, the air would
expand suddenly to many times the volume of the heat exchanger.

10

Figure 20: Helium Testing Method

Figure 21: Hydrostatic Testing

The above examination are the majors method that are applied in heat exchanger
inspection, in which can be derived to other examination techniques that will be
shedlight to next heading, to elaborate more how NDT methods can be used, ASME V
Table A-110 lists imperfections in material, components and welds and the suggested
NDE methods capable to detect them. The imperfection types are service induced
imperfections, welding imperfections and product form.

11

Method.
Figure 22: snapshot of ASME section
V Article 1 table-1, Imperfection Vs Type
of NDE

OTHER EXAMINATION
Heat exchangers NDT are applied mainly in three areas external, internal and tube bundle,
the following are other advanced techniques that are derived basic NDT methods

Eddy Current Examination (ET) is selected for non-ferromagnetic tubes, taken in

consideration that the sensitivity is limited for U-tubes at bend portion.

Figure 22: Eddy Current testing principle

Remote Field Eddy Current (RFET) is selected for inspection a ferromagnetic

tubes, detect large pitting and wall loss with limitation of low sensitivity.

Figure 23: RFT Testing Principle

12

Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) is selected for ferromagnetic tubes, with taken into
consideration has poor sensitive on carbon steel, the method can determine Tube
ID vs OD defect discrimination.

Figure 24: MFL Testing Principle

Ultrasonic Examination system is more accurate method that can be demonstrated

to measure tube thickness such as in system of Internal Rotary Ultrasonic
Inspection (IRIS) or Shear Wave IRIS (SWIRIS), however, these systems are
required to have clean tubes, and some to be filled on water media. IRIS slow
measuring technique, provide wall thickness and detect external and internal
defects.

Figure 25: Ultrasonic (IRIS) Principle

RECOMMENDATION
The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) for any heat exchangers can be improved and
even avoided for major maintenance with several recommendations such as,
The inspection authority should check fabricators quality assurance program,
documentation, mechanical design calculation, material used and their dimensions,
corrosion allowance, weld detailed.etc
The organization should always maintain history NDT records for future consideration.

13

 Under hydrostatic testing; Ensure bundles are cleaned/tested with fresh water containing
less than 50 PPM chlorides.
A guideline for retubing decisions should be based on the calculated minimum thickness
(tm) or One third (1/3) original tube thickness (this considers minimum structural
integrity), the tube thickness can be calculated by following formula (ASME Section
VII Div1, Appendix 1)
PRo
t
2
SE 0.4 P
Where,
P= Internal Design Pressure
S= Maximum Allowable Stress Value
E= Joint efficiency
t= Minimum required thickness of shell
R=Outside radius of the Tube
Refer to a reliable Code and company standard to accept the discontinuity, ASME V for
Nondestructive Examination or API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: In-Service
Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration for remaining life and corrosion rate
Remaining Corrosion Allowance
Remaining Life = -------------------------------------------------Corrosion Rate
Metal Loss over a period
Corrosion Rate = ----------------------------------------------Period of metal loss
Conduct a Periodic inspection thus to detect early symptoms to allow for timely
correction of small problems before they can become large problems
NDE Inspector plays a significant role in the performance NDT techniques for tubing
inspection. A large variation in results can be expected depending on the skill of the
inspector. It is therefore important that some kind of a performance demonstration be
established to determine the ability of the inspector for 1) detection, 2) discrimination
(valid defects vs. false calls) and 3) sizing of all types of defects
Utilize best effective Inspection Method (ASME PCC-2 Table I-1)
CONCLUSION
Inspection necessity is stage wise for any organization thus to ensure that the equipment
has been designed and fabricated or repaired in accordance to the applicable codes using
the correct materials and procedures that are allowed by the codes or standards. The major
reasons for maintaining NDT inspection methods are for safety, continuity and efficiency
of operation and reduction in maintenance costs.
14

Shops services is challenged to return units back to Plant through finding innovative ideas
for improving the turnaround repairing time and avoidance unnecessary maintenance,
where it is NDT to determine whether to proceed with the repair or stop all activities and
place new order to manufacture Heat Exchangers.
NDT methods are evolving process, and there is always a need to challenge having
desire results by deploying new technique, as for instance, there are currently under
potential or validation method for application (Ex, guided wave tube inspection, twisted
tube inspection and Acoustic eye).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This paper has benefited by greatly commented by Saudi Aramco Inspection
Department personnel from Technology Unit as well as inspection department effort in
producing engineering procedures, in addition to Ras Tanura Refinery Inspection unit
whom involved to Saudi Aramco Heat Exchanger Shop inspection that is located at
Juaymah. I am gratitude toward those units.

REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.

ASME VIII Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels, Division 1, 2010

ASME V Nondestructive Examination, 2007
ASME PCC-2, Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping2008
API RP 571 of Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining
Industry, 1st Edition, Dec 2003
5. API RP 572 of Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels, 3rd Edition, Nov 2009
6. Carl Andreone, Stanley Yokel Tubular Heat Exchanger, Inspection, Maintenance
and Repair, 1997
7. API 510 8th Edition, Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: Maintenance Inspection,
Rating, Repair, and Alteration
8. Saudi Aramco/Mechanical Services Shops Department;H-03 Heat Exchanger
Technical Testing Procedure (4) , H04 Shop Heat Exchanger Tube To Tubesheet
Joint Procedure, H05 Heat Exchanger Tubesheet Overlay Procedure,
9. SAEP-317 Testing and Inspection (T&I) of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers
10. SAEP-325 Inspection Requirements for Pressurized Equipment

15

6th MENDT Conference and Exhibition 2012

October 7-10, 2012, Bahrain

SAUDI ARAMCO NDT METHODS APPLICATION ON HEAT EXCHANGERS

Fawaz A. Al-Khuliawi

Saudi Arabian Oil Company

PO Box 6835, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT:

Inspection Nondestructive Testing (NDT) techniques are vital to determine the continuity
of Heat Exchanger operation in plants, there are a wide ranges of NDT selection that may
vary slightly from one manufacturer to other in stages of heat exchangers fabrication, and
even more selection of NDT methods once it comes in repairing heat exchanger. Saudi
Aramco Heat Exchanger Shops is receiving with an averaged 289 units/year and intensively
depends on NDT techniques to accept the provided services. This paper will describe
Nondestructive Testing (NDT) applications for Saudi Aramco Heat Exchangers and how to
choose between various NDT and addresses the advantages through success cases and
strategic partnership to maintain reliable services.

INTRODUCTION
Inspection is done to determine metallurgical structure, mechanical properties and
corrosion resistance of used material in manufacturing Heat Exchanger. These materials
should be suitable for the operating conditions for the operating condition they will be
subjected to during their service life. It should be possible to subject these materials to the
various fabrication processes, such as bending, welding or forming and without improperly
impairing the material properties, in which inspection or testing helps determining that the
material being used as designed parameters.
Saying that, the two main types for testing are either to destroy the material (Destructive)
or not destroying the material as Nondestructive Testing. Taking in to consideration, there
are cases required to conduct destructive testing when Nondestructive Testing fail. There
are several types of nondestructive testing, the ASME code Section V and section VIII
(American society of Mechanical engineers) specifies basic techniques; Radiographic
examination, Ultrasonic examination, liquid penetrant examination, magnetic particle
examination, eddy current examination, visual examination and leak/hydrostatic/pneumatic
testing.
In the field of heat exchangers whether it is manufactured or repaired, inspection side will
certainly use one or more of above NDT method, these are very important activities to
helps in locating the faults on material surface or subsurface; such as discontinuities,
changes in thickness, nicks, or even in welding joints of slag entrapment, porosity, cracks,
lack of penetration, under cutting,,,etc. below are illustrations of some damaged and likely
location of corrosion on heat exchangers components..

Figure 1: Tube Pitting

Figure 2: ErosionCorrosion Attack at Tube

Ends

Figure 3: Pitting in
Channel

Figure 4: sever corrosion in Air cooled HE Frame and partition plate

Figure 5: excessive clearance between baffle and tubes from accelerated corrosion cause mechanical damage
and vibration

Figure 6: Graphitic corrosion & a 6 oclock crack on tube and thinning at tube wall by erosion at tuber inner

Figure 7: Fouling with and corrosion beneath marine growth

Figure 8:Tube Sheet Corroded Beneath

Marine Growth

Figure 9: Internal Corrosion in a Pressure Vessel

Figure 11 : Erosion in a UBend tube

Figure 10 :Hydrogen Blistering

HEAT EXCHANGER REPAIR PROCESS

The heat exchanger vessel is imperative to plant operation in Petroleum Industries
Operations, to some extent in shutdown, the plant operation turn to potential loss or even
to some Plant to actual loss, where it is a role to Saudi Aramco Heat Exchanger Shop to
exert all its resources to provide reliable, cost effective, and timely services.
Maintaining heat exchanger(s) can be cost effective if it is planned ahead by forecasting
the required material and proper scope of work, and determine inspection plan to meet the
3

deadlines. Inspection agency plays role to return the heat exchanger back to services or
maintenance cost raise questions such as, Shall we go for replacing individual tubes, Shall
we partially retube or Shall we fully retubes?,
Shop maintenance process is falls under key steps of starting with,
Receiving the vessel
Collecting all required documents
Dismantling of components
Cleaning and thoroughly performing inspection to design requirement(s)
Then follow with the repairing scope of work, boxing back all components, and
hydrotesting, including inspection holding point at each major steps
These steps determine the lead time to complete the repair for any vessel(s), in which shop
practices requires to exploit any task helps to improve the turnaround time. The following
are major NDT methods and practices that demonstrates inspection technique.

Photos 1 & 2

Receiving Heat Exchanger and Removing Tube Bundle

Photos 3 & 4

Dismantling the Heat Exchanger and Steam Cleaning Tubebundle

Photos 5 & 6

Fabricating Tubesheet and Welding Damaged Header Thread

Photos 7 & 8

Tube-to-Tubesheet Joint by Seal Welded & Expanded

Photos 9

Hydrotesting of Repaired Heat Exchanger

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
This NDT method is used to examine the welded joint in the metal using Radiation
source (most frequently of iridium). The radiation source is placed on one sidke while the
film is placed in holder on the other side of the weld to be examined as showing on Figure
12.

Figure 12: X-Ray Radiography, single wall, No Reinforcement, Side

And Top Views Of Hole-Type IQI Placements
The examination is used for heat exchanger designed to contain lethal substance, operating
at high pressure, or heat exchanger that made out of thick plates (38 mm or above), or heat
exchanger that required to have a minimum thickness by increase welded joint efficiency,
This can be demonstrated in such as, to determine for instance the vessel that has
MAWP(Maximum Allowable Working Pressure) of design pressure 370 psig, E=1,
Material of construction ASTM515Gr70, Corrosion Allowance 3 mm, and shell diameter
1200 mm. to use the following formula
t

PR
1
SE 0.6 P
5

Where,
P= Internal Design Pressure
S= Maximum Allowable Stress Value
E= Joint efficiency
t= Minimum required thickness of shell
R=Inside radius of the shell
Using formula 1, the shell thickness may be selected of 16 mm for E=1, and for E=.85,
the thickness may be selected to be 18 mm, where E is determined by ASME (American
Society of Mechanical Engineers) rule, when it if fully radiography, or spot radiography
or Partial Radiography. The method limitation is requiring to protective precautions to
protect personnel is surroundings area, the method requires to maintain government
license to use isotopes.
ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION
For detecting defect in welds and plate material and for gaging thickness of plates
High frequency sound impulses are transmitted through a search unit, usually a quartz
crystal. The search unit is held in close contact with the part being tested, using an
intermediary such as oil or glycerine to exclude air. The sound waves pass through the
part being tested are reflected from the opposite side or from a defect. The time of travel
shols the defect on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or scope, in which can also measure
depth of crack or defect. Although the impulse instrument used to detect defects and will
also give thickness measurements. The resonance instrument is actually an electronic
micrometer designed to measure thickness from one side of material within tolerances of
0.051 mm ( 0.002 in). the benefit of Ultrasonic Examination (UT) is handy as it is
portable equipment, and can access from one side of part being tested possible, the
thickness measurements are rapidly made, and good for detection laminated plates. Yet,
It not very effective on welds with backing rings requires to have smooth surface, in
addition a photographs must be taken to provide permanent records.

Figure 13: detection ultrasound

through transmission, A Scan
and B Scan
6

Figure 14: Tubesheet being in fabrication process after UT check

One of area that Saudi Aramco Heat Exchanger shop benefits for using this method is to
meet Seams weld requirement in which was cut, rewelded and inspected using Phase
Array testing NDT method (Phased arrays consist of number of ultrasonic elements
arranged in a single instrument. The multiple elements are used to create an ultrasonic
beam. The beam can be steered to optimize the orientation of the beam to the object
being studied, which increase the probability of detection of flaws), phased array technique
was used instead of X-ray for post welded of tubesheet/shell joint without removing the
newly inserted tubes out from the shell. The outcome of achieving these tasks had added
value to safety for avoiding the radiation source out of using RT as well as reducing the
turnaround time.

Figure 15: Gas-Gas Heat Exchanger and Phased Array Inspection Technique

EDDY CURRENT EXAMINATION

This method is based upon the principles involving circulating currents into an
electrically conductive article and observing the interaction between the article and the
currents. This method mainly exploit for non-ferrous tube material, the method detects
small discontinuities with high speed, accurate measurement of conductivity to check
variation in wall thickness, however, it is limited to use with conductive materials or
7

conductive base materials, the depth of penetration restricts testing to depths of less than
in in most cases. The presence of strong magnetic fields will cause erroneous readings, in
which required to training for interpretations of visual defects and indications.

Figure 16: Using Eddy Current for inspection Incoloy Tube

PENETRANT EXAMINATION
This method is widely used in industry and classified in either using Dye or Fluorescent;
for penetrant inspection (dye) for locating surface defects, where a liquid dye penetrant is
applied to a dry clean surface and allowed to soak long enough to penetrate only surface
defects. After a time internal of up to 1 hour, the excess penetrant is wiped off or cleaned
with a cleaner and a thin coating of developer is applied. The penetrant entrapped in defect
will be drawn to the surface by developer, and the defect will be indicated by the contrast
between the color of the penetrant and that of the developer, as far for Penetrant inspection
in Florescent, which is using for locating defects that run through the surface, in penetrant
to be applied by sparing, dripping, or brushing,. The excess penetrant is washed from
surface with a water spray or other appropriate solution to allow the surface then to dry.
Dry powder or water-suspension developer is applied to part to draw penetrant to surface.
Penetrant glows under black (ultraviolet) light. For leak test, penetrant is applied to one
side, and the other side is examined under black light indications of glow.
The advantage of Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection is easy to perform, defects show
clearly under black light. The limitation however in Penetrant inspection, it is only detect
the defects that are open to the surface, in which add another cons which is not practical on
rough surfaces. And for fluorescent, the black light requires a source of electricity, and
applied only for nonmagnetic material, and not very effective as lead test for plates more
than inch thick.

Bleed out viewed under

white light

Figure 17: Penetrant inspection application in heat exchanger tubesheet and headers
after weld buildup repair.
MAGNETIC PARTICLE EXAMINATION
This method Magnetic particle (MT) is for locating surface and sub-surface defects that
are not too deep. The technique employs either electric coils wound around the part or
prods to create a magnetic field. A magnetic powder applied to the surface will show up
defects as local magnetic fields. The nature of the defects will be revealed by the way the
powder is attracted. The advantages of using MT is useful for the inspection of nozzle and
manhole welds for which radiography would be difficult at best and most impossible, the
vantage to detect small surface defects especially once weld repair took place in defects.
MT can also use to detect laminations at plate edges.
The limitation of MT is used only for magnetic material. It is also not suitable for detects
parallel to magnetic field.

A crack like indication

Figure 18: yoke technique of Magnetic particle (MT)

VISUAL EXAMINATION
This method is done to determine the surface condition and shape of plates, tubes,
fabricated parts, thus to check the alignment of mating surfaces or to look for leaks when
performing leak test, pneumatic or hydrostatic test.
There are major different methods for leak testing. These are done along with apparatus;
- Gas and bubble formation testing (Gas; air, nitrogen or helium) and bubble forming
solution, pressure indicator.
- Vacuum box testing; vacuum box, vacuum creating equipment, and vacuum
indicator.
- Halogen diode detector testing (Sniffer method)
- Helium mass spectrometer testing (reverse probe-sniffer method or hood method)
Hydrostatic testing is using water to ascertain whether the heat exchanger will withstand
the design pressure at the design temperature without developing any leaks. The heat
exchanger is using to 1.3 or 1.5 (depend on year or code design) times the maximum design
pressure multiplied by the lowest ratio for the Heat Exchanger construction materials of the
stress value at the test temperature to that at the design temperature. The typically number
for testing shell and tube heat exchanger are three times, thus to check free leaks at
gaskets.

Figure 19: Designated Gaskets areas for hydrostatic Testing

Pneumatic Testing is using air to ascertain whether the heat exchanger will withstand the
design pressure at the design temperature without developing any leaks. It has advantage to
be performed when the heat exchanger cannot safely be filled with water to conduct a
hydrostatic or cannot be completely drained and dried of water after a hydrostatic test. This
of course with highly consideration that the pneumatic test results in a reduced stress level
since it is conducted at a pressure lower that for the hydrostatic test. In addition, the
pneumatic is more dangerous and should be performed in precaution to certain set pressure.
The air compresses a lot more than does water when it is pressurized, hence, the air would
expand suddenly to many times the volume of the heat exchanger.

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Figure 20: Helium Testing Method

Figure 21: Hydrostatic Testing

The above examination are the majors method that are applied in heat exchanger
inspection, in which can be derived to other examination techniques that will be
shedlight to next heading, to elaborate more how NDT methods can be used, ASME V
Table A-110 lists imperfections in material, components and welds and the suggested
NDE methods capable to detect them. The imperfection types are service induced
imperfections, welding imperfections and product form.

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Method.
Figure 22: snapshot of ASME section
V Article 1 table-1, Imperfection Vs Type
of NDE

OTHER EXAMINATION
Heat exchangers NDT are applied mainly in three areas external, internal and tube bundle,
the following are other advanced techniques that are derived basic NDT methods

Eddy Current Examination (ET) is selected for non-ferromagnetic tubes, taken in

consideration that the sensitivity is limited for U-tubes at bend portion.

Figure 22: Eddy Current testing principle

Remote Field Eddy Current (RFET) is selected for inspection a ferromagnetic

tubes, detect large pitting and wall loss with limitation of low sensitivity.

Figure 23: RFT Testing Principle

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Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) is selected for ferromagnetic tubes, with taken into
consideration has poor sensitive on carbon steel, the method can determine Tube
ID vs OD defect discrimination.

Figure 24: MFL Testing Principle

Ultrasonic Examination system is more accurate method that can be demonstrated

to measure tube thickness such as in system of Internal Rotary Ultrasonic
Inspection (IRIS) or Shear Wave IRIS (SWIRIS), however, these systems are
required to have clean tubes, and some to be filled on water media. IRIS slow
measuring technique, provide wall thickness and detect external and internal
defects.

Figure 25: Ultrasonic (IRIS) Principle

RECOMMENDATION
The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) for any heat exchangers can be improved and
even avoided for major maintenance with several recommendations such as,
The inspection authority should check fabricators quality assurance program,
documentation, mechanical design calculation, material used and their dimensions,
corrosion allowance, weld detailed.etc
The organization should always maintain history NDT records for future consideration.

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 Under hydrostatic testing; Ensure bundles are cleaned/tested with fresh water containing
less than 50 PPM chlorides.
A guideline for retubing decisions should be based on the calculated minimum thickness
(tm) or One third (1/3) original tube thickness (this considers minimum structural
integrity), the tube thickness can be calculated by following formula (ASME Section
VII Div1, Appendix 1)
PRo
t
2
SE 0.4 P
Where,
P= Internal Design Pressure
S= Maximum Allowable Stress Value
E= Joint efficiency
t= Minimum required thickness of shell
R=Outside radius of the Tube
Refer to a reliable Code and company standard to accept the discontinuity, ASME V for
Nondestructive Examination or API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: In-Service
Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration for remaining life and corrosion rate
Remaining Corrosion Allowance
Remaining Life = -------------------------------------------------Corrosion Rate
Metal Loss over a period
Corrosion Rate = ----------------------------------------------Period of metal loss
Conduct a Periodic inspection thus to detect early symptoms to allow for timely
correction of small problems before they can become large problems
NDE Inspector plays a significant role in the performance NDT techniques for tubing
inspection. A large variation in results can be expected depending on the skill of the
inspector. It is therefore important that some kind of a performance demonstration be
established to determine the ability of the inspector for 1) detection, 2) discrimination
(valid defects vs. false calls) and 3) sizing of all types of defects
Utilize best effective Inspection Method (ASME PCC-2 Table I-1)
CONCLUSION
Inspection necessity is stage wise for any organization thus to ensure that the equipment
has been designed and fabricated or repaired in accordance to the applicable codes using
the correct materials and procedures that are allowed by the codes or standards. The major
reasons for maintaining NDT inspection methods are for safety, continuity and efficiency
of operation and reduction in maintenance costs.
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Shops services is challenged to return units back to Plant through finding innovative ideas
for improving the turnaround repairing time and avoidance unnecessary maintenance,
where it is NDT to determine whether to proceed with the repair or stop all activities and
place new order to manufacture Heat Exchangers.
NDT methods are evolving process, and there is always a need to challenge having
desire results by deploying new technique, as for instance, there are currently under
potential or validation method for application (Ex, guided wave tube inspection, twisted
tube inspection and Acoustic eye).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This paper has benefited by greatly commented by Saudi Aramco Inspection
Department personnel from Technology Unit as well as inspection department effort in
producing engineering procedures, in addition to Ras Tanura Refinery Inspection unit
whom involved to Saudi Aramco Heat Exchanger Shop inspection that is located at
Juaymah. I am gratitude toward those units.

REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.

ASME VIII Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels, Division 1, 2010

ASME V Nondestructive Examination, 2007
ASME PCC-2, Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping2008
API RP 571 of Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining
Industry, 1st Edition, Dec 2003
5. API RP 572 of Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels, 3rd Edition, Nov 2009
6. Carl Andreone, Stanley Yokel Tubular Heat Exchanger, Inspection, Maintenance
and Repair, 1997
7. API 510 8th Edition, Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: Maintenance Inspection,
Rating, Repair, and Alteration
8. Saudi Aramco/Mechanical Services Shops Department;H-03 Heat Exchanger
Technical Testing Procedure (4) , H04 Shop Heat Exchanger Tube To Tubesheet
Joint Procedure, H05 Heat Exchanger Tubesheet Overlay Procedure,
9. SAEP-317 Testing and Inspection (T&I) of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers
10. SAEP-325 Inspection Requirements for Pressurized Equipment

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