Viva Energy identified localised internal corrosion and wall thinning during a scheduled inspection campaign on its bitumen blowing column process pressure vessels. Further open grid wall thickness measurement, where carried out on these locations, identified thinning nearing the mandatory minimum thickness. Subsequently, Verbrec was engaged to complete a fitness-for-service assessment.
The assessment was completed in accordance with AS 3788 Section 5 and recommendations were provided to allow the continued safe operation of the pressure vessel.