Allpax’s New Inspection Program Provides Comprehensive Approach to Assessing Corrosion in Retorts
The company’s 40-point vessel inspection program reduces safety risks and productivity loss associated with premature pressure vessel failure due to corrosion in both stainless-steel and carbon-steel retorts.
COVINGTON, La., October 24, 2019 – Allpax, a product brand of ProMach, introduces a new corrosion inspection program to improve workplace safety and reduce the risk of premature pressure vessel failure due to corrosion in carbon-steel and 300-series stainless-steel retorts. The Allpax 40-point inspection is based on the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) 510 standard for certified pressure vessel inspection.
Retorts have an internal environment of high temperature and pressure created by steam, water, and oxygen. When excessive harmful chloride ions are present inside, or even on the outside of the retort, the ions act as a catalyst for starting and accelerating corrosion in stainless steel during the retort cycle. Unless steps are taken to identify, reduce, or eliminate the causes of corrosion, batch retorts may have their service lives cut short, resulting in production disruptions and the need for early replacement of corroded vessels. There are associated worker safety issues from corroded sections as well. Allpax has written a white paper on this topic, Understanding the Causes of Stainless-Steel Corrosion in Retorts and Practical Steps to Prevent Corrosion.
The Allpax inspection is a non-destructive examination of American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) installed pressure vessels per API 510 certified inspector guidelines. The inspection includes a total of 40 evaluations within the following focus areas:
- Quick opening door evaluation and inspection
- Internal vessel shell structural evaluation
- External vessel shell structural evaluation
- Water sample evaluation
- On-stream inspection points
- Visual damage assessment, including images of problem areas
- Current state of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) programs
Based on the examination, Allpax provides a corrective action plan to help ensure that the integrity of the pressure vessel meets or exceeds code requirements. As required, the corrective plan includes:
ASME repair plan along with hydrotest
Identification of damaged parts needing replacement and recommendations for spare parts to be held in inventory
In collaboration with the customer’s water treatment supplier, offer suggestions for altering the water chemistry
Requirements for re-rating the pressure vessel based on corrosion damage
Recommendations on utilizing corrosion coupons for future monitoring
Recommended intervals for follow-up inspections based on 40-point findings
“Allpax has the intimate knowledge of retort construction, operation, and water chemistry that generalist pressure vessel inspectors lack,” said Eric Hanrahan, Allpax General Manager. “Our goal with this new initiative is to evaluate the retort and then chart a course leading away from corrosive conditions.”
For information on the new Allpax 40-point inspection program, call 888-893-9277. Visit Allpax at www.Allpax.com for information about the company’s shelf-stable food sterilization products and services.
About Allpax
Allpax, a product brand of ProMach, is a global leader in the design and fabrication of food sterilization (retorts/autoclaves) and material handling automation equipment and systems for the low acid, shelf-stable food, beverage and pharmaceutical/nutraceutical industries. Allpax is a full-service provider to both small and large multinational processors. Allpax offers everything from pilot retorts to stand-alone retorts to fully automated batch retort systems, as well as support for existing systems, including audits, repairs, rebuilds, retrofit control systems, replacement parts, and expert field support services, including a full range of thermal process support services. Learn more about Allpax at www.Allpax.com.
About ProMach
ProMach is a family of best-in-class packaging solution brands serving manufacturers of all sizes and geographies in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and household and industrial goods industries. ProMach brands operate across the entire packaging spectrum: filling and capping, flexibles, pharma, product handling, labeling and coding, and end of line. ProMach also provides Performance Services, including integrated solutions, design/build, engineering services, and productivity software to optimize packaging line design and deliver maximum uptime.
ProMach designs, manufactures, integrates, and supports the most sophisticated and advanced packaging solutions in the global marketplace. Its diverse customer base, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller, privately held businesses worldwide, depends on reliable, flexible, technologically advanced equipment and integrated solutions. ProMach is headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio, with manufacturing facilities and offices throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, United Arab Emirates, and China. For more information about ProMach, visit www.ProMachBuilt.com.
Media Contact
John Eklund | Vice President, Marketing
ProMach
John.Eklund@promachbuilt.com
