anybody have offshore experienced? im wondering what equipment to be monitored in offshore. I just started a IR prog in offshore ask requested by the management.

Other than MCC,breakers,transformer,engine,motor,gearbox,valve what can we monitor?

Can we detect sand in the pressure vessel using IR?

Pls help

I have done thermography on seperator vessels on offshore gas platforms with great success.

We were able to identify sand, water, oil and gas levels. From these surveys we were able to identify which vessels had the most sand and also where downstream errosion of valves and fittings may occur.

Hope this helps.

James,

Its great to hear that you are taking pressure vessel too.

But how can we know that it is sand/water in the vessel as thermogram is just on the surface of the vessel?

Myself just took a pressure vessel prior to clean during shutdown. But seems nothing abnormal on the thermogram.

Thanks!

It's not as easy as it sounds. You got to know how to adjust your imager settings to find what your looking for. Also the time of day is crucial along with production rates. Know your vessel's design and how it works. This will give you an idea on what you may see thermally. Also, the platform operators are a great source of historical knowledge for all platform equipment. They will be able to give you a full history on the vessel and wells and which wells feed which vessels.

Hope this helps.

Sonny,

Thanks for the input.

What i'd monitor is a very thick (carbon steel ~ thickness 10mm approx ) HP vessel (for crude oil) and it is placed near to a fire flare (above it). So the flare could affected the thermogram.

Could you sshare any history report or case study that can show me the difference of sand,water and oil in the thermogram?

Thanks

send me an email at:
tdlir@hotmail.com

Or feel free to call me. My number is listed on my web site.

SJ,

Thanks for the picture.

What i can see is gas,oil,water and sand it nicely separated. Based on your thermogram, the sand is hotter and gas is cooler.

But what i get at my place is cooler side below the vessel. I thought this it sand!

Am i wrong?

Thanks in advance

As I am not sure what kind of vessel you are inspecting, I cannot really answer this question properly.

Maybe you can email me the thermogram along with a photo of the vessel in question and a little description about the vessel's operation.

From there I may have a better chance of helping you out.

SJ,

I am inspecting pressure vessel HHP,HP, LP and also Surge Vessel. All of this located near to Production platform.

What is the material and thickness of your separator? Do you fully consider to take the emmissivity of the vessel surface? and how about the ambient temperatue?

Rgds
CBM Analyst

an actual picture and thermogram of your vessel(s) would be most helpful for me to help you.

With regards to "E" setting of your imager, that is not really important here as accurate temps are not needed. An E=1.00 is fine. What is important is that the vessel's inspection surface have a high "E" value finish.

I recommend you post an image and thermogram of the vessel in question and give a breif description of what inside is supposed to have and what this vessel is supposed to do (how it works).

You will be suprised how many responses and opinions you may get from others also.

Hope this helps.

CBM

Do you have sand problems in your platform?

What IR camera do you use? Is it Ex-rated?

Josh,

Historically we have sand problem in the vessel.


Currenlty using FLir thermocam

rgds

Try the GasFindIR

GasFindIR_Brochure.pdf (319 KB, 18 downloads)

quote:

Originally posted by Josh:
CBM

Do you have sand problems in your platform?

What IR camera do you use? Is it Ex-rated?

Hi Josh, the only "Ex" certified portable, radiometric IR camera in the world is the Ex|CAM AP Series from Hawk IR Internaional. This camera can be used within a Zone 1 hazardous area without the need for permits.

European law requires that if an "Ex" product is available then it must be used. This is part of the cost of "owning" an explosive atmosphere.

Quote from UL website; "The ATEX Directive is the law in every country in the European Community. And part of the law states that all products for use in explosive atmospheres must meet the Directive."

Few people realise that the use of "hot work permits" is a last resort rather than "the rule" so to speak. Due to the fact that there were previously no "Ex" IR cameras available such permits were the only method of performing an IR scan in an explosive atmosphere.

This is no longer the case, if you are currently considering a new infrared camera or want to replace your delicate, safe-area system, and you have an explosive atmosphere then a Ex|CAM is the route forward. To receive more information on Ex|CAM AP Series and/or to schedule a demo, please contact us at http://www.safeinfrared.com/.

If you have any questions relating to infrared inspection in an explosive atmosphere, thermography training or ATEX IR cameras please dont hesitate to contact us.

Thanks and best regards,


Tony Holliday
Hawk IR International Ltd.
ATEX IR Cameras

Sonny James,

Thanks for your input. Recently im able to detect sand or particle accumulation inside a pressure vessels. Thumbs up by the Boss!

Again Thanks

Good Job!
Now might be a good time to ask your boss for a raise

Glad to be of some help.

Good Job?

Nope, no salary increase. But Thermography frequency visit to be more frequent!

To hunt on other fault!

HiCBM Analyst/ Sonny James,

This is very interesting, I have tried this before but could not go thru. Can you guys please explain to me how to go about.

my email is albaas@hotmail.com

Regards

Al.

CBM, will the area with the sand or particulate accumulation be cooler than the rest of the area?

Josh,

Yes in my findings the sand/sludge level will be slight cooler / low in temp.

Do you carryout this inspection on your vessel previously?

Btw, which platform had u been in sarawak water?