API 510 - Pressure Vessel Inspector Certification Preparation

API 510 - Pressure Vessel Inspector Certification Preparation

Course Overview

Program Title: API 510 Certified Pressure Vessel Inspector Preparation Course
Duration: 5 Days (40 Contact Hours)
Schedule: November 10-14, 2025 | January 12-16, 2026
Timing: Full-Day (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam (In-Person) | Online Live Sessions
Course Code: STC-API510-2025-11
Investment: 4,200 SAR (Early Bird: 3,360 SAR)
Language: English (Arabic support materials)

Course Description:

Comprehensive preparation for API 510 Certified Pressure Vessel Inspector examination. Covers in-service inspection, repair, alteration, and rerating of pressure vessels and heat exchangers in refineries, petrochemical plants, and power generation facilities across the GCC.

The course provides deep understanding of ASME Section VIII Division 1 & 2, API 510 code requirements, vessel design principles, fabrication standards, damage mechanisms, NDE methods, thickness calculations, and fitness-for-service evaluation specific to Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and regional operations.

Target Audience:

• Pressure vessel inspectors and inspection engineers

• QA/QC engineers in refineries and chemical plants

• Mechanical engineers involved in static equipment integrity

• Maintenance supervisors and planners

• NDT technicians advancing to inspector roles

• Aramco, SABIC, ADNOC, QatarEnergy personnel

Prerequisites:

• Minimum 5 years field experience in pressure vessel inspection, or

• 3 years' experience + engineering degree

• Knowledge of pressure vessel design and fabrication

• Familiarity with welding and NDE methods

Course Curriculum Highlights

Day 1: API 510 Code & ASME Section VIII Fundamentals

• API 510 scope, applicability, inspector responsibilities

• ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Div 1 & 2

• Pressure vessel types: Vertical, horizontal, spherical

• Components: Shells, heads, nozzles, flanges, supports

• Materials: Carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel specifications

• Design pressure and temperature considerations

Day 2: Fabrication, Welding & Damage Mechanisms

• Fabrication requirements per ASME Section VIII

• Welding per ASME Section IX: WPS, PQR, welder qualification

• Weld joint types and radiographic examination requirements

• Damage mechanisms: Corrosion (internal/external), cracking, creep, fatigue

• High-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) in hydrocrackers

• Caustic embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking

• Brittle fracture and impact testing

Day 3: Inspection Planning & NDE Methods

• In-service inspection program development

• Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) per API 580/581

• NDE methods: UT, RT, MT, PT, AET, PAUT, TOFD

• External inspection (online) vs. internal inspection (shutdown)

• Thickness measurement techniques and data management

• CML selection and inspection frequency determination

Day 4: Thickness Calculations, Repairs & Alterations

• Minimum thickness calculations per ASME Section VIII Div 1:

  • Cylindrical shells, spherical shells, formed heads

  • t = (P × R) / (S × E - 0.6P) + CA

• MAWP calculations and rerating

• Remaining life assessment and retirement criteria

• Repair procedures: Welded repairs, composite repairs

• Alteration requirements and engineering analysis

• Pressure testing: Hydrostatic and pneumatic

Day 5: Quality Assurance, Documentation & Exam Prep

• Inspection report writing and documentation

• Quality control and ASME QMS requirements

• Saudi Aramco vessel inspection procedures (SAEP-402)

• API 510 exam format and strategy (110 questions, 3 hours, closed-book)

• 50-question mock exam with detailed review

• Exam registration process and study plan

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Interpret ASME Section VIII design and fabrication requirements

• Develop comprehensive inspection programs for pressure vessels

• Perform thickness measurements and calculate remaining life

• Evaluate damage mechanisms and fitness-for-service

• Approve repairs and alterations per API 510

• Pass the API 510 certification exam (70%+ score)

• Function as authorized pressure vessel inspector in GCC facilities

Course Materials

• API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code (10th Edition)

• ASME Section VIII Division 1 (excerpts and key sections)

• Course workbook (350+ pages)

• 600+ practice questions

• Calculation worksheets and formula reference

• Case studies from GCC refineries and chemical plants

Instructor: Eng. Abdullah Al-Qahtani, API 510/570/653, 22 years' experience with Aramco and SABIC

Registration: scitcc.com/api-510 | +971566922928