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API 578 TIPS

API 578, M.V program for New & Existing Alloys Piping

API RP 578 guide lines for Material control, M.V program on ferrous & nonferrous
alloys during construction, installation maintenance & inspection of new & existing
piping.
C.S materials are not specifically covered under API 578.
Substituting alloy material for C.S material may result in failure: ex: wet hydrogen
sulfide (H2S) hydrofluoric acid (HF), Sulfuric acid (H2S04)
With in the operating plant responsible for M.V. program Purchasing, engineering,
warehouse/recovering operations, reliability, maintenance & inspection
Alloy material any metallic materials that contains alloy element such as CR, NI,
MO.
An Inspection lot does not include item from more than 1 heat
Material supplier organization that supplies materials and certified by a material
manufacture.
Distributor: Wire housing supplier for one or more manufacturers or suppliers of alloy
material.
M.V. Program Procedure
PMI Testing Physical Testing
Random Selection Process made in an arbitrary and unbased manner.
Representative Sample Selected At Random From The Inspection Lot
Standard Reference Material: Chemical analysis checked at laboratory and used in
demonstrating accuracy of the test instrument. (Calibration Block)
Mill Test Report should not be considered the substitute for the PMI Test.
Welding One Electrode or wire sample from each lot or package should be
positively identified. Weld rods that are having alloying elements in the flux
coating PMI Testing on weld metal or undercut weld portion is an expectable
alternative.
Longitudinal welding alloy pipe and fitting should receive random PMI Testing on base
metal and weld metal
Autogroove weld only on base metal
Distributed Supplier materials Higher degree of PMI Testing is required due to the
potential for material mix ups as a result of handling

Existing Piping Systems:

PMI is limited to the pressure containing components and their attachment welds
Priotorizing piping for Retroactive PMI
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o Likely wood of material mix up (Key factor is effectiveness of M.V. Program at
the time of construction and maintenance)
o Consequence of failure
o Corrosion resistance or protect purity
o Historical date relating to material substitution
Factors to be considered for Extent of PMI Testing
o Historical Inspection and M.V. Program recovered
o Number of plant modification
o Material control during construction and modification
o M.V. Program quality during construction
o Consequence of release
o Likely wood of corrosion / degradation
PMI Testing with the wire house should not be regarded as alternative to PMI Testing
and Fabricated piping system when testing is specified.
PMI is not extended to established exact conformance of a material to a particular alloy
specification.
Depending on the test method PMI Test method may identified the nominal
composition of alloy material
PMI Method portable, X-ray Fluorescence, Portable optical emission in
spectroscopy and lab chemical analysis, Magnetic Testing to difference between
ferritic austenitic.
Portable X-ray Fluorescence qualitative and quantitative measurements.
o Element lighter than sulpher (S) cannot be detector by portable X-ray
Fluorescence Spectrometer INS carbon (C) cannot be determined.
Portable optical emission spectrometer can also identified carbon (C) content. Hot
work permit may be required because it produces on area wile measuring
Chemical spot testing electrode mechanically remaining minute amount of sulpher
metal and depositing it on to filter paper. Distinct color indicates presence of specific
elements
Resistivity testing See back effect on thermo electric principles. Alloy sorters are not
prove to be consistently capable of sorting low alloy (< 5% CR) and austenitic S.S.
Other technique Eddy current sorters, electromagnetic alloys sorters, triboelectric
testing device, Thermo electric Test.
PMI Procedure should cover: techniques used, equipment calibration, qualification
requirements of PMI Testing personal testing methodology, documentation
requirements.
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