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Corrosion monitoring is crucial for ensuring the integrity and longevity of storage tanks. Corrosion Monitoring Locations (CML) are essential for systematically tracking the condition of tank walls over time. In this guide, we will explore how to create CML points for a tank that lacks predefined CMLs using The Mechanical Integrity Suite.
CMLs are specific points on a tank or piping system where regular thickness measurements are taken to monitor corrosion. These points help in identifying areas prone to corrosion, allowing for timely maintenance and prevention of leaks or failures. In our example, we will set up CMLs for a tank shell course component, based on a Universal Thickness (UT) inspection report.
The first step involves examining the UT inspection report, which provides wall thickness measurements at various points on the tank. For our tank, the readings are divided into six different CMLs based on the elevation of the shell course, from 0.5 feet to 8 feet in height. Measurements were taken at four orientations: north, east, south, and west.
Inside The Mechanical Integrity Suite, we begin by searching for our asset, in this case, Tank 1. Using the search functionality, we locate the tank and access the CML properties through the software interface.
The platform provides a convenient bulk creation feature. We start by specifying the number of CMLs to create—in this example, six. The "Auto Incremental" option ensures that the CMLs are numbered consecutively, which is useful for maintaining order if there are existing CMLs.
Next, we define the type of CMLs, which in this case are all straight, and specify their location on the shell course. We set the status of these CMLs to active and define the number of Thickness Monitoring Locations (TMLs) within each CML. Referring back to our UT inspection report, we identify four TMLs for each CML, corresponding to the north, east, south, and west orientations.
We uncheck the "Auto Incremental" option to manually name each TML based on its orientation. The names are set as North, East, South, and West for clarity. The elevations for the CMLs are then entered, ranging from 0.5 feet to 8 feet. Once all details are entered, we create the CMLs. The Mechanical Integrity Suite auto-populates initial names, which we adjust to reflect the actual elevations accurately. Each CML is named according to its height: 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 feet.
After creating the CMLs, we review the entries to ensure accuracy and the platform allows us to expand the CML entries to verify each TML’s properties and location. We confirm that all CMLs are correctly assigned to the shell course and save the configuration.
Creating CMLs systematically ensures comprehensive monitoring of corrosion in storage tanks. By following a structured approach, maintenance teams can effectively track corrosion, plan timely interventions, and maintain the integrity of industrial assets. The use of specialized software simplifies this process, making it easier to manage large numbers of CMLs and ensure consistent monitoring. Learn more about CMLs and The Mechanical Integrity Suite or contact us to learn more.
