Detection of Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC)
Piping failures caused by FAC have been reported in many fossil and nuclear power plant piping systems. Intertek offers pulsed eddy current (PEC) examinations of piping for detection of FAC through insulation while the plant is online or offline.
FAC is metal loss through dissolution of the protective oxide film in piping serving water or wet steam. Under certain water chemistry, fluid velocity, and operating conditions, FAC can cause internal wall thinning of piping, such as condensate or feedwater piping. In some cases, this thinning has led to catastrophic failures and fatalities.
Intertek has developed the following approach to FAC Examination:
- Computer software to identify and rank high priority examination areas
- Online or offline nonintrusive examination of the high priority areas
- Ultrasonic examination of selected locations
- Engineering analysis
A unique feature of Intertek’s approach to FAC examination is our nonintrusive wall thickness measurement system which uses a patented pulsed eddy current technology. The pulsed eddy current system is especially attractive to industrial and power plant clients because it can be used:
- While the plant is online or offline – no outage required
- Without removing insulation and lagging
- At a substantial cost savings, particularly when asbestos insulation is present
- Wall thickness accuracy: better than ±5%
- Pipe temperature: -150˚F to 950˚F
- Insulation thickness: 0 to 4 inches
- Pipe wall thickness: 0.15 to 2.6 inches
Contact us to see how Intertek can help your organization with Detection of Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC).