Risk of rupture on pressure vessels due to corrosion

On February 4, 2015, the Regional Boiler/Gas Inspector of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) conducted an annual inspection of pressure vessels at a mine process plant. The inspection revealed signs of corrosion between metal identification tags and the pressure vessel walls on a number of air receivers.
Further testing confirmed that the pressure vessel’s walls were thinner in localized areas on three of the air receivers. To minimize the risk of a rupture, the Inspector requested that the air supply system be shut down. A 30 metre personnel exclusion zone was created to keep workers out of the area during repair.