Product/Service

Flow-Accelerated Corrosion

Source: Aptech Engineering Services
A unique feature of APTECH's approach is our non-intrusive wall thickness measurement technique
Flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) is metal loss through the dissolution of the protective oxide film by localized turbulence in piping serving water or wet steam. Many pipe failures caused by FAC have been reported in power plant piping systems. Under certain water chemistry, fluid velocity, and operating conditions, FAC can cause internal wall thinning of condensate and feedwater piping, heater drip and drain lines, and other carbon steel piping. In some cases, this thinning has led to catastrophic failures and fatalities.

APTECH's Approach to FAC Examination
Our experience with FAC has led to the development of the following steps for proper evaluation:

  • Computer software to identify and rank high priority areas
  • On-line or off-line non-intrusive inspection of high priority areas
  • Ultrasonic examination of selected locations
  • Engineering analysis

A unique feature of APTECH's approach is our non-intrusive wall thickness measurement technique -- called RTD-INCOTEST -- which uses a patented pulsed eddy current technology. Some of our clients have already developed a program to locate critical areas for examination, and are ready to proceed with inspection. The INCOTEST system is especially attractive to many industrial and power plant clients because it can be used:

  • While the plant is on-line or off-line -- no outage required
  • To inspect without removing insulation and lagging
  • At substantial cost savings, particularly when asbestos is present

Aptech Engineering Services, 1282 Reamwood Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. Tel: 408-745-7000; Fax: 408-734-0445.