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Refinery distillation columns and storage tanks at dusk

Industries/Chemical Plants

Chemical Plant NDT InspectionThe methods, the codes and the crews we bring to process piping, vessels and tanks.

Chemical plants run the same inspection problem as the refineries next door: process piping circuits, pressure vessels and reactors, exchangers, storage tanks and the structural steel holding it all up — inspected on a turnaround clock, against ASME B31.3, API 570 and API 653.

That is work Prime Inspections is built for: Level II and Level III technicians, the full method range on one mobilization, and digital radiography that does not add 45 minutes of darkroom to every exposure.

  • Process piping
  • Vessels & reactors
  • Exchangers
  • Tanks
  • Corrosion mapping
Capability, stated plainly. This page describes the methods, the codes and the crews Prime Inspections brings to this work. It does not claim a project, a client or a track record in this sector — ask us what we have done and we will tell you straight. (281) 944-3840

What we would inspect

Generic method application — tell us the circuit and the code, and we will tell you which method answers it.

Process piping circuits

RT, PAUT and TOFD weld inspection on process piping, matched to ASME B31.3 new construction or API 570 in-service acceptance, with UT wall-thickness surveys on operating circuits.

Pressure vessels, reactors & exchangers

UT, PAUT and RT on pressure vessel welds, nozzles and internals during fabrication, turnaround and repair inspection, and on shell-and-tube exchanger welds.

Storage tanks

Floor and shell UT thickness surveys, MT, and welded-seam inspection supporting API 653 tank inspection programs.

Structural steel & pipe supports

MT and PT on structural steel, pipe racks and supports subject to vibration and thermal cycling in process units.

Certified crews. Level II technicians certified to our written practice under ASNT SNT-TC-1A / ANSI/ASNT CP-189, with ASNT Level III oversight and AWS CWI support where the specification calls for it. Industrial radiography license information available on request — call us for current state radiation license details. (281) 944-3840

What we would bring

Built for the turnaround clock

Turnarounds, maintenance shutdowns and emergency outages are the rhythm we already work to — large crew mobilization, 24/7 coverage, real-time reporting, and repairs identified while the crew is still at the joint.

Corrosion mapping, not guesswork

Encoded phased-array corrosion mapping measures and positions remaining wall thickness and pit depth and records a C-scan map for your program. We supply the data; the fitness-for-service decision stays with your inspection department.

Material identification

Positive material identification (PMI) is in our capability list alongside the volumetric and surface methods, for where a line has to be confirmed as the alloy the drawing says it is.

One crew, every method

RT, digital radiography, CR, RTR, PAUT, AUT, TOFD, UT, MT, PT and VT from the same mobilization and the same written practice, reported in one format.

Codes of record

In-service piping and equipment inspection typically follows API 570 (piping) and API 653 (aboveground storage tanks); new construction piping follows ASME B31.3 and pressure vessels follow ASME Section VIII. Examination requirements come from ASME Section V; the acceptance criteria are whatever your project specification names.

Examination, not the inspection department. Prime performs and reports the nondestructive examination. We are not an authorized inspection agency, we hold no code stamp, we do not employ API 510/570/653 certified inspectors, and risk-based inspection, damage-mechanism assessment and fitness-for-service decisions stay with the owner and their engineering.

Frequently asked questions

Does Prime work in chemical plants?

The methods, the codes and the crews are the same ones we bring to refinery and petrochemical work — process piping circuits, pressure vessels and reactors, exchangers, storage tanks and structural steel. Ask us what we have done in your sector and we will tell you straight rather than imply a record on a web page.

Which methods would you use?

RT, digital radiography (DR), computed radiography (CR) and real-time radiography (RTR), PAUT, AUT and TOFD, the conventional methods — MT, PT, UT and VT — and positive material identification (PMI).

What codes apply?

API 570 for in-service piping and API 653 for aboveground storage tanks; ASME B31.3 for new construction piping and ASME Section VIII for pressure vessels — as your specification calls out.

Can you support a turnaround on a compressed schedule?

Yes. Turnarounds, maintenance shutdowns and emergency outages are core work: large crew mobilization, 24/7 coverage and real-time reporting so inspection stays off the critical path.

Do you employ API 510, 570 or 653 certified inspectors?

No. Prime performs and reports the nondestructive examination in support of your inspection program. The certified-inspector role, the evaluation and the fitness-for-service decision stay with the owner and their engineering.

Do you do corrosion mapping?

Yes — encoded phased-array corrosion mapping with remaining wall thickness and pit depth measured, positioned and recorded, and a C-scan map documented for your program.

Can you do positive material identification?

PMI is in our published capability list alongside the volumetric and surface methods. Tell us the scope and we will confirm what we can put on your site.

How do I get a quote?

Use our contact form or call (281) 944-3840 with the unit, the circuits and the governing code, and our team will follow up.

Turnaround scope to price?

Tell us the units, the circuits and the window — we will tell you exactly what we can cover.