CRI Pipe & Pressure Vessel Inspection Flashcards

When performing radiography on an in-service pipeline with active product flow, what primary safety precaution governs source selection?

Answer: Activity level must be chosen to keep exposure times short enough to minimize personnel dose during field setup

In field pipeline RT, selecting adequate source activity minimizes the time the source is exposed and out of shielding, reducing personnel radiation dose.

Which radiographic image characteristic is used to verify that adequate film-to-source geometry was maintained during pipe weld examination?

Answer: The IQI (penetrameter) essential wire or hole is visible on the radiograph

IQI visibility confirms that the radiographic technique has sufficient sensitivity to detect discontinuities of the required size, validating the overall examination geometry and exposure.

For high-pressure steam piping examined per ASME B31.1, what minimum film density is required for radiographs made with an X-ray source?

Answer: 1.8

ASME Section V and B31.1 require a minimum film density of 1.8 for X-ray exposures to ensure sufficient contrast and sensitivity for flaw detection.

A radiograph of a socket weld fitting shows a dark ring image concentric with the pipe. What does this indicate?

Answer: A gap between the pipe end and the socket bottom (crevice or improper fit-up)

A dark ring concentric with the pipe in a socket weld radiograph indicates a gap between the pipe end and the socket floor, representing improper fit-up that can trap corrosive product.

When interpreting radiographs of tube-to-tubesheet welds in a heat exchanger, what condition does a continuous light density band at the tube-sheet interface indicate?

Answer: Good fusion and full penetration of the weld at the interface

A light (high density) continuous band at the tubesheet interface indicates more material is present—paradoxically, a dark band indicates a gap or lack of fusion.

Per API 1104, what is the maximum allowable aggregate length of inadequate penetration (IP) in any continuous 12-inch length of pipeline weld?

Answer: 1 inch

API 1104 limits aggregate inadequate penetration to no more than 1 inch in any continuous 12-inch weld length for normal pipeline service.