scope:

GENERAL

The procedure for protecting idle equipment involves safeguarding unattended and inactive equipment from deterioration during turnarounds and mothballing. Any short or long shutdown of operating equipment should be given special consideration because of the environmental changes involved. Deterioration of equipment during periods of idleness is usually caused by conditions entirely different from those that exist during operation. Many deposits formed during process operation become unusually corrosive under shutdown conditions. These potential problems must be considered carefully in determining which shutdown procedures are appropriate, which equipment must be protected, and which methods are to be employed. In some cases, protection procedures may be very involved and expensive. In other, the procedures may be quite simple and inexpensive.