Effect of Selected Design, Construction and Operating Practices on Gas Plant Life Expectancy

This paper discusses the experience with selected practices in the life cycle of a gas plant and their impact on equipment damage mechanisms, corrosion rates and eventual life expectancy of the plant. A number of selected practices at the design, construction, operating and maintenance phases are evaluated on a case study basis. Alternative options to each practice are discussed and the potential effect of selected practice on type and severity of damage mechanisms experienced are outlined. Design practices discussed include material selection, solvent selection and equipment sizing. The construction practices include welding, heat treatment and project quality control. The operating practices include adoption of a risk based inspection (RBI) program, management of change (such as raw gas composition management), handling of circulating solvent quality and testing, corrosion monitoring and pressure relieving valves condition monitoring. Maintenance cycles as well as maintenance practices are also examined.

Key terms: design practices, construction practices, operating practices, maintenance practices, risk based inspection, plant life, damage mechanisms, corrosion rate, management of change, maintenance cycles