PWHT (QC Exam, Procedure Review)

Candidate’s Name: _____________ Nationality/Location: ________________
Interview Date: _____ Interviewer(s): _________________________________
PWHT (QC EXAM, PROCEDURE REVIEW)

GENERAL PORTION (48 Points) PWHT Questions per ASME Code (3 points each)
1. Requirements for Heat Treatment of Refinery Process Piping are listed in what ASME Code section?
2. What is the purpose of heat treatment in welding?
3. Three operation practices where heat treatment is utilized include welding, bending and forming? True/False
4. Heat treatment of production welding does not have to be specified in the WPS? True/False
5. Heat treatment Metal Temperature Range requirements are always the same for P-1 materials. True/False
6. Heat treatment quality control & examination requirements are specified by engineering design? True/False
7. Heat treatment QC requirements of ASME process piping code can be bypassed by Engineering? True/False
8. What are the five acceptable heating methods per code heat treatment of process piping?
9. What 3 critical items must be provided by the heating method selected to perform successful heat treatment?
10. What are two acceptable methods of temperature verification?
11. The capacitor discharge method of welding thermocouples requires a welder performance qualification. True/False
12. After thermocouples are removed, what methods of QC/NDE apply to surfaces of piping where welds were located?
13. Why is it good practice to Radiograph & take hardness readings on heat-treated piping welds?
14. Process conditions and wall thickness primarily determine if a weld must be heat-treated. True/False & examples
15. Where hardness limits are specified, what percent of welds is hardness tested with localized heat treatment used?
16. What is the difference in the metal temperature range of Carbon steels and low alloy steels?
Specific Knowledge/Experience & SAES-W-011 Questions for PWHT QC (4 pts each, 52 tot)
17 What is the Saudi Aramco requirement for Hardness Testing after heat treatment?
18 If hardness limits are specified and heat treatment is required by fluid service, how long must production welds soak?
19 What is the maximum hardness for P-1 materials after heat treatment?
20 After completion of heat treatment & TC removal, what surface condition is required for visual inspection?
21 Hardness testing at Aramco is mandatory & must follow testing guidelines of what common recommended practice?
22 The temp range within the heated zone shall exceed minimum holding temp for all TCs. True/False? Max. Spread?
23 Saudi Aramco allows two types of heat sources to be used for heat treatment. What are they?
1
Candidate’s Name: _____________ Nationality/Location: ________________
Interview Date: _____ Interviewer(s): _________________________________

24 How shall multipoint chart recorders clearly identify each point/channel? Each weld?
25 How far away must the junction (between a copper-Constantan compensating cable and Type K, Thermocouple
Lead) be located from the weld being heat treated when a Copper-Constantan compensating cable is used?
26 How often must temp recorders be calibrated?
27 When heat treating piping, why must insulation be tight fitting & ends completely closed off?
28 What are the Saudi Aramco requirements regarding restraint and support of piping during heat treatment?
29 What is an acceptable protection against thermal oxidation for flange serrations, threads, and boltholes?
30 Who will be responsible to see that MT or PT exams are performed as required, if specified by Inspection after TC
removal and grinding?
PWHT Procedure Review Note & Discussion with Candidate on Interview:

1. Contractor's Procedure covers equipment conditions – Discuss the following in detail about Contractor Procedure
 Procedure lists all equipment (Recorders & cables are checked against requirements of SAES-W-011)
 Procedure states ... Manufactured Tight fitting thermal blankets with full wire mesh securement* shall be used.
 Procedure describes good workmanship & proper materials for use in PWHT Operations and covers disposition for
burnt blankets & reporting fires to SA. Procedure states that any interruptions of operations or irregularities in the
PWHT process (rework, etc) are reported to the Saudi Aramco Inspector for his review and disposition consideration.
SA Inspector dispositions can include added NDT, BHT or even discarding pipe spools burnt/damaged in PWHT ops.
 Procedure lists all consumables to be used are per Saudi Aramco Standards (Deoxaluminite, etc) & details in length
(specifics) the temporary support & other safeguards to prevent local damage/distortion.
*Note: PID does not accept a PWHT procedure that does not include the above statements. Insist on Quality
manufactured thermal blankets enclosed in wire mesh with securement ties. Asian Practice of using tie wires and layers of
loose raw ceramic fiber blanket rolls is never allowed on Saudi Aramco Projects for three reasons:
1. Health & Safety concerns are always Reason #1. Airborne loose ceramic and other man-made fibers are a
serious health hazard. For those who challenge you on this concern, tell them to provide an applicable MSDS
Sheet on materials & Review the Manufacturer’s Care/Handling Instructions for basic health & safety. PWHT
operations are at grade, overhead and in locations where airborne fibers will be breathed in by all personnel in
the immediate vicinity.
2. Improper securement (zero air gaps @ tie wires, air space between wires) results in uneven insulation & local
temperature variances (A Digital pyrometer can easily verify this. See Thermal Blanket Mfg Reports & Data)
3. Quality Workmanship of thermal blanket enclosures results in long lasting materials that do not degrade and
burn. They are easily cleaned and are not fouled by windborne contaminants (A Saudi Aramco average day) &
do not leave foreign matter trapped against heated pipe. They actually save $$$ in the long run. Fiber rolls
degrade quickly, are unsafe for personnel and become fouled with contaminants quickly.
Contractors can elect to disregard these comments when they are presented to him and use raw thermal
insulation rolls for PWHT. SA PID should take the following actions:
1. Do Not Approve the PWHT procedure. Report potential violations/concerns to BOTH SAPMT Safety &
Loss Prevention (in Live Plants) so they can evaluate the MSDS requirements/needs for tents &
respirator usage. Saudi Aramco takes health/safety seriously.

PWHT (QC Exam, Procedure Review)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PWHT (QC Exam, Procedure Review)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

PWHT (QC Exam, Procedure Review)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Candidate’s Name: _ Nationality/Location: ____

Interview Date: _ Interviewer(s): _____________________________

PWHT (QC EXAM, PROCEDURE REVIEW)

2. What is the purpose of heat treatment in welding?

10. What are two acceptable methods of temperature verification?

Interview Date: _ Interviewer(s): _____________________________

26 How often must temp recorders be calibrated?

PWHT Procedure Review Note & Discussion with Candidate on Interview:

You might also like