Asset Corrosion Management - Corrosion Under Insulation

Out of various corrosion phenomenon, the corrosion occurring on insulated piping/ equipment at any facility is particularly difficult to track & prevent. As a global issue, CUI (Corrosion Under Insulation) may directly contribute to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) issues, lost production and increased maintenance costs. CUI, therefore, needs to be combated and tamed eg. brought under control through systematic efforts. Historically, industry data shows that approximately 60% of pipe leaks are caused by CUI. Studies also show that the age of the piping system when the CUI leak occurred is bi-modal. One leak population mean is found in pipes with 16 to 20 years of service life and a second population means is in piping with the service life of greater than 26 years. Such data needs to be used while developing strategies for CUI detection and mitigation. New plants under construction must take cognizance of leaning from CUI incidents and shall use specifications on Painting, Insulation which already incorporate this leaning.