API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

(CLOSED 1)
Instructions:
Choose only one answer, which you think is most appropriate.
Use the attached answer sheet in answering the following questions.

1. Post weld heat treatment of vessel welds generally results in:

a. Reduction in hardness
b. Increase of tensile strength
c. Increase of both strength and ductility
d. None of the above

2. A pressure vessel fabricated in 1960 was in service. It has been

decided to remove the top head and extend the height and
replace the dish head with a new one. The proposal is:

a. The proposal can be accepted for review by

authorised inspector
b. No modification is allowed on this vessel
c. A pressure vessel engineer should be
consulted for approval
d. None of the above

3. Vessels that are known to have a remaining life of over

__________ years or that are protected against external
corrosion need not have insulation removed for the periodic
external inspection.

a. 10
b. 15
c. 5
d. 20

4. After an inspection interval is completed and if calculations

indicate that an inaccurate rate of corrosion has been assumed
initially, how do you determine the corrosion rate for the next
inspection period?
a. eck the original calculations to find out what the
error is in the original assumption.
b. Unless the corrosion rate is changed by Jurisdiction, the
initial rates shall be used.
c. The corrosion rate shall be adjusted to agree with the
actual rate found.
d. Call in a corrosion specialist
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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5. If a vessel is made up of unknown materials and
computations must be made to determine the MAWP what
can the inspector or the vessel engineer do to establish the
MAWP?
a. The lowest grade material and highest joint efficiency in
the applicable code may be assumed for calculations.
b. Assume MOC as SA 283 Gr. C and joint efficiency = 0.7
c. The vessel made of the unknown material must be
removed from service and vessel of known material must be
installed.
d. The vessel of unknown material shall be subjected to
hydrostatic tests while having strain gages on it to determine
its yield strength and thus allowable stress.

6. RBI assessment can be used to alter the inspection

strategy provided:
a. The degradation methods are identified and evaluated
b. The RBI is fully documented.
c. A third party conducts the RBI
d. Both A and B above

7. What climatic area may require a very active program for

corrosion under insulation?
a. Cooler dry locations.
b. Very cold locations with year round temperature less
than 25°F
c. Warmer, wet locations
d. Warmer dry locations

8. Soil-to-air (S/A) interfaces for partially buried vessels are a

location where localized corrosion may take place. If the buried
part is excavated for inspection, how deep should the excavation
be to determine if there is hidden damage?

a. 12 to 18 inches
b. 6 to 12 inches
c. 12 to 24 inches
d. 6 to 18 inches

9. 2 Common way to minimize temper embrittlement is to limit

a. ‘J’ factor for weld metal.

 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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b. ‘X’ factor for base metal.
c. ‘J’ factor for base & ‘X’ factor for weld metal.
d. ‘X’ factor for base & ‘J’ factor for weld metal

10. The minimum hydro test temperature for in-service vessel of 2”

thickness is:

a. MDMT+10F
b. MDMT+30F
c. MDMT+ 0C
d. MDMT+ 0C

11. “Clam shell” type crack failure having concentric rings called
“beach marks” showing “waves” of crack propagation is typically
the description of

a. Fatigue cracks.
b. Creep cracks.
c. Stress corrosion cracks.
d. Hydrogen induced cracks.

12. Minimum Design thickness for a vessel shell is 10 mm. Following

four plates were received with actual thickness equal to: 10.2
mm, 9.7mm, 10.3mm, and 9.6 mm. As per ASME Sec. VIII
Div.1, how many plates will you release for vessel fabrication?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. All 4

13. What type of repairs and procedures may the inspector give
prior general authorisation to continue (provided the inspector is
satisfied with the competency of the repair organization)?

a. Major repairs and minor procedures

b. Limited or routine repairs
c. Major alterations and re-ratings
d. Minor re-ratings and alterations

14. A vessel in service has different zones of corrosion. The next

inspection frequency will be decided by:

a. Zone with highest rate of corrosion

b. Zone with lowest remaining life
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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c. Average rate of corrosion shall be taken into consideration
d. Average remaining life of the vessel shall be considered

15. Resistance to sulphidation is generally achieved by

a. Upgrading to higher nickel alloys

b. Upgrading to higher chromium alloys
c. Upgrading to higher copper based alloys
d. All of the above.

16. Characteristic SCC in Austenitic S.S. generally will be

a. Transgranular, branching and aggravated by increasing

temperature
b. Intergranular and unidirectional (straight) and aggravated
al low temperature
c. Independent of chloride content
d. None of the above

17. In planning for an internal inspection of a vertical vessel that has

acidic corrodents, what type of corrosion would you expect to
find on the vessel shell from inside?

a. Hydrogen blistering near liquid level

b. Hydrogen blistering on top dished head
c. Hydrogen blistering near the bottom of vessel
d. None of above

18. H2S is in sour crude is more harmful in presence of:

a. Oxygen
b. Water (i.e., Wet H2S)
c. Sulphur
d. a and c above

19. The leak tightness of the relief valves is tested on the test block
at a pressure equal to:

a. Same as set pressure

b. 90% of the set pressure
c. Same as reseat pressure
d. None of the above

20. The principal reason for inspecting a pressure relief device is to

determine:
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a. Condition of pressure relief device and if it is functioning

properly
b. The remaining life of pressure relief device.
c. The spring coil diameter.
d. The body thickness.

21. Which of the following tests must be conducted on a valve as

soon as it has been received in the shop for inspection?

a. Visual inspection
b. Hydrotesting of valve body
c. Radiographic testing
d. Check set-pressure

22. API 576 does not address:

a. Valve testing on test benches in shop

b. Application of rupture discs
c. Training requirements for mechanics involved in
inspection and repair of pressure relieving devices
d. All of the above

23. For vessels which are supported on concrete saddles and working
in an area where the humidity is high which areas on them are
typically susceptible to external corrosion?

a. At the anchor bolts in the foundation

b. At the Points of contact of the metal surface with the
concrete
c. All of the above
d. None of the above

24. Inspection records contain the following information for a TML

on a dished head. (Thk. in inches) On the basis of this
information, the long-term corrosion rate for the location is:

Thickness Year
0.500 0
0.425 5
0.400 10

a. 1 ½ mils per year

b. 5 mils per year
c. 10 mils per year
d. 100 mils per year
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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25. A certain C. S. vessel which required impact testing was required

to have PWHT initially according to code requirement. After 10
years when repaired by welding PWHT is to be carried out.
Performing PWHT is found to be impracticable. Which of the
following is relevant (as per API-510)?

a. PWHT may be exempted, if proper NDE is carried out.

b. Carry out temper-bead welding as alternative to PWHT.
c. Carry out both hydro-testing and pneumatic testing in
lieu of the PWHT.
d. Carry out preheating to minimum 200°F

26. A cylindrical shell with thickness = 4.0”, ID=96”, S=17100 and

E=0.85 and C. A. = 1/8” showed metal loss of 1/4” within the
areas lying 8” on either side of the longitudinal welds. You
analysis of situation is:

a. Recalculate shell thickness ‘t’minimum considering E=1.0

b. The thinned area is on or within weld area hence (a) above
can not be adopted
c. Prepare repair procedure and restore the metal loss as per
API -510
d. b and c above

27. Materials used for making repair by welding in carbon steel

vessels shall have the following limitations?

a. They shall meet the requirements stipulated in NACE

Standard.
b. The carbon content shall not be over 0.35%
c. Welding repair shall be done by using only the GTAW
process
d. All of the above

28. For non-continuous corrosive service with remaining life 25

years, external inspection shall be performed not later than:

a. 10 years
b. 12.5 years
c. 5 years
d. None of above
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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29. An ellipsoidal head has an internal diameter of 76 inches and
depth of 21 inches (including a straight face dimension of 2
inches). What should its spherical (crown) radius be?

a. 76.9 inches
b. 15.6 inches
c. 68.4 inches
d. All of the above

30. For carrying out temper – bead welding technique in lieu of

PWHT, apart from other requirements, which of the following is
acceptable?

a. The root and final pass of weld shall be radiographed.

b. Weld metal shall be deposited for second pass while the
first pass below the second pass is still not cooled down
and its cooling rate is retarded due to the heat of second
pass.
c. After depositing each layers of the weld, the weld
shall be PT checked.
d. Both b and c

31. Calculate the remaining life and external insp. interval of a

vessel given the following data:

Actual thickness = 0.955 inch

Minimum thickness required = 0.759 inch
Thickness at previous inspection 5 years prior to present
inspection = 1.025 inch

a. 20 years, 10 years
b. 14 years, 5years
c. 28 years, 10 years
d. None of the above

32. As per API 510, the organization who carry out PRV repair,
testing has to be:

a. Needs to be a certified company to perform all repair work

in accordance to ASME.
b. Needs to have have documented quality control procedure
c. Needs to have qualified personnel to carry out the job
within scope of repair
d. Only b and c above
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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33. A vessel which was inspected six years ago and had shell
thickness = 0.870”. As on today the thickness as reported by
filed inspection is 0.786. What was the corrosion rate over last
six years?

a. 10 mpy
b. 12 mpy
c. 14 mpy
d. none of above

34. If the vessel in above question has minimum permissible

thickness = 0.618” for the present design conditions. What will
be estimated remaining life of the vessel if corrosion rate
remains same?

a. 10 years
b. 12 years
c. 14 years
d. None of above

35. For a vessel, remaining life is estimated as 22 years from now,

next planned internal and external inspection shall not be later
than:

a. 11 Years, 5 Years
b. 10 Years, 5 Years
c. 5 Years, 5 Years
d. None of the above

36. What is the maximum defect permitted on the convex surface of

a welder qualification bend test after bending?

a. ¼ inch
b. 1/8 inch
c. 1/16 inch
d. 3/16 inch

37. Certification of contaminants shall be obtained for all PT

materials used on:

a. Carbon steels
b. Ferritic stainless steels
c. Austenitic stainless steels
d. None of the above
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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38. The scope of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel, Code, Section
V includes:

a. NDE acceptance criteria

b. How to perform NDE to achieve a desired result
c. Where to do NDE (i.e. what welds to examine)
d. All of above.

39. For Ammeter calibration for magnetizing equipment, the

allowable tolerance is:

a. +5%
b. +10%
c. +15%
d. +20%

40. Which of the following are commonly preferred to know the

process side degradation of pressure vessels?

a. On –stream inspection.
b. Internal inspection
b. External inspection as alternative to internal inspection
c. Any of above is OK

41. For MT examination by Prod technique the magnetizing current

required depends on:
a. Prod Spacing
b. Thickness of item under Inspection
c. a & b above
d. None of above

42. While deciding the governing thickness for crown portion for
corroded 2:1 ellipsoidal head, API 510 stipulates that & crown
thickness shall be calculated:

a. According to relevant ellipsoidal dished head

formula
b. According to code formula for spherical heads with head
radius equal to 0.9 D, where D is shell dia meter.
c. Thickness of crown shall be same as knuckle thickness.
d. None of the above
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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43. For a vertical column, Int. dia. = 48'' and height (T-T) = 80ft,
The vessel MAWP is 60 psi. Minimum vessel part MAWP for
bottom dished head (2:1 Ellip type) shall be:

a. 94.6 psi
b. 82.8 psi
c. 95.5 psi
d. None of above

44. How is hammer testing utilized?

a. As a preliminary survey for thinned areas

b. As a independent test method for which ASNT Certification
in NDT is available
c. As a important tool in the hands of the Authorized
inspection only
d. To carry out Carpy impact test

45. Which of the following represent grouping of weld-metals

in ASME IX?

a. P – Nos.
b. F – Nos.
c. S – Nos.
d. A – Nos.

46. Which is/are advantage of magnetic particle testing over

penetrant testing?

a. It can detect surface discontinuities with foreign material

imbedded in them.
b. It is faster on individual parts.
c. It can detect near-surface discontinuities.
d. All of the above

47. Double wall Double image technique is used for the radiography
of:

a. Plate welds
b. Tubular products with outer diameter less than 3.5 inch
c. Large pipes with outer diameter 200 mm and
above
d. Heavy castings
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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48. As per ASME Sec. VIII Div. 1, if permanent deformation is
observed due to over pressure during hydrotesting:

a. The inspector should ask for re-test using proper test

pressure and new pressure gauges.
b. Follow-up the hydro-testing by a pneumatic test at proper
pressure, taking suitable precautions as given in code
c. The inspector may ask for providing additional stiffening
rings around vessel and carry out re-hydro test at proper
test pressure.
d. The inspector may reject the vessel.

49. The size of a properly deposited equal fillet weld is shown as 10

mm. The throat dimension for this weld will be approximately:

a. 10 mm
b. 8 mm
c. 7 mm
d. 9 mm

50. If any setting is noticed on a vessel, which of the following

should be done:

a. Conduct RT after 48 hours of observing the defective

condition
b. Nozzles and adjacent shell areas should be inspected
for distortion and cracking
c. Use acoustic emission monitoring
d. All of the above

51. Identify the correct statement (s)

a. SSC is aggravated due to wet H2S

b. Hydrogen blistering may occur on I.D, O.D, or any where
within wall thickness of the pressure vessel.
c. High hardness & High strength steels are more likely to
undergo damage due to SCC compared to low strength/
low hardness steels
d. All of the above are correct statements

52. Cracks and laminations look similar from surface however,

generally:

a. Cracks run normal to vessels surfaces

b. Lamination runs slant or parallel to surface
c. a and b above
 API 510 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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d. None of above

53. High temperature hydrogen attack is

typically due to
a. Methane gas formation
b. Wet H2S formation
c. Temper embrittlement
d. Presence of molybdenum in alloy steels.

54. The nonmetallic coating disbonding in a vessel can be

better detected by:

a. Eddy current testing

b. Holiday detection
c. Ultrasonic testing
d. Acoustic emission testing

55. External inspection of a pressure vessel starts with:

a. Ladder, stairs, walkway and platforms of the vessel

b. Insulation, skirt and foundation
c. The external surfaces, of vessel
d. Dimensional check of the vessel

56. Before carrying out an inter service inspection on a

vessel put in-service for quite some time what the inspector
should do first?

a. Check the material in which it is constructed.

b. Check the permanent file of the
vessel.
c. Check the progressive history file of the vessel.
d. Check the original thickness
report.