Inspection ratio for buried pipelines in oily media
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I would like to ask fellow industry professionals: In the petrochemical industry, both light and heavy contaminated oils are generally transported by gravity flow to underground oil storage tanks. According to the requirements specified in GB 50184 and SH 3501, the inspection rate is set at 10%. Given the difficulties in maintaining underground pipelines carrying flammable materials as well as the high level of risk associated with them, is it necessary to increase the inspection rate to 100%?
Buried pipelines are subject to specific standards, such as GB/T50934-2013 \"Technical Specifications for Seepage Control in Petrochemical Projects\". Having no prior experience with buried pipelines, I consulted these standards; the required percentage is not less than 10%, and there is no mention of a 100% inspection rate. However, for buried pipelines that rely on gravity flow, there is a requirement that they pass a water tightness test with no leaks. Moreover, I personally believe that in the situation described by the poster, attention should be paid to the system’s leak prevention design; the proportion of inspections carried out is merely one of the methods for quality assessment, while leak prevention measures should be the focus.
The standards require a minimum level, and it is possible to increase it; it’s just a matter of cost
What’s there to worry about when it’s above the industry standard or **norms? Hehe
Designing beyond the specified requirements leads to cost issues, as radiographic testing for each weld joint is expensive. Pipeline leakage prevention mainly focuses on controlling leaks; buried pipelines lack flanges and valves, so the main sources of leakage are at the welds. Moreover, the medium is mainly light contaminated oil, and the flammable medium is classified as Category B. For safety reasons, the design institute has been upgraded.