RIASSUNTO
ABSTRACT
Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is a major challenge for different process industries. Today it is managed in many ways, ranging from full removal of insulation to minimal maintenance, including some inspection methods with insufficient non-destructive testing. These extremes exhibit a lack of understanding and systematic approach in managing the CUI risk, globally.
A joint industry project (JIP) on CUI has developed a methodology that would help identify, assess and mitigate the CUI risk in a systematic manner. Living in the age of digital transformation, the resulting recommended practice is being digitalized into a web tool that will offer its users an industry-recognized best practice in managing the CUI risk of their assets. The users will have the possibility to share their knowledge and learn from other users’ experiences through a Global CUI Database. Such synergy across the industries will enable a continual methodology improvement and future development of the machine learning within the tool. Furthermore, a separately developed feature uses digital twins of the assets, linked with assets’ integrity data and other relevant data, providing more efficient communication and work processes. The goal of the tool is to ensure safe and reliable operations, and thus - improve the safety of life, property and the environment.
INTRODUCTION
Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is a major concern for any industry that has piping, vessels and equipment covered by insulation. It can be catastrophic for asset integrity, production, health, safety and the environment.1-4
As the corrosion occurs under the insulation, CUI is difficult to detect without costly and time-consuming insulation removal. According to NACE International* member Dean Lioliou, director of sales with ALS Oil & Gas - Pipeline & Asset Integrity Monitoring, CUI costs the oil and gas midstream market approximately 350 million USD annually.5
Despite the availability of many standard inspection techniques and approaches for combating CUI risk6-10, today it is managed by operators in many ways; from removing small portions of the insulation at selected locations that are highly susceptible to CUI and inspecting them using non-destructive techniques, to replacing all the insulation and renewing the coating without any previous assessments that would help reduce the scope.5 These examples show that there is no common, standard way of addressing CUI among the operators. Their different ways of going about the problem exists mainly due to lack of good advice on how to manage the risk.