How is the inspection cycle for such pressure vessels determined?
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Our unit’s hydrogen production facility is equipped with 8 PSA pressure swing adsorption towers; the operating pressure is 2.4 MPA. The lifespan of the adsorbent inside these towers is 15 years. However, pressure vessels do not require such a long inspection period. Since the adsorbent cannot be removed, it is not possible to inspect the equipment without checking it. How can such equipment be inspected, and what should be the inspection interval?
This requires consultation with the boiler inspection agency. It is not possible to conduct internal inspections of the cylinder containing the adsorbent, but the upper and lower end caps as well as certain sections of the cylinder can still be inspected. If everything checks out fine, it should still be possible to replace the adsorbent every 15 years. However, if issues are found during inspections of the end caps, it will be necessary to remove and replace the adsorbent.
In cases where access to the interior is not possible, external flaw detection can be performed. Some of the cylinders can be inspected internally.
External non-destructive testing should be fine; it will be decided whether to remove the agent after the issues are identified.
Combining external non-destructive testing with internal localized testing should be no problem.
Suggestion for LZ: Consult with the local special inspection agency; as long as they issue a corresponding inspection report stating that the equipment can continue to be used under certain conditions until ---- year -- month -- day, that’s exactly what was done with the adsorption towers in our company’s air separation unit. :loveliness: