Commissioning and Startup Training Curriculum
Module from the Commissioning and Startup Training Curriculum curriculum.
Module 8 — Equipment Precommissioning · Learning Objectives · 1. Precommission centrifugal and positive-displacement pumps including priming and coupling checks. · 2. Precommission centrifugal compressors including barring, warm-up, and minimum-flow confirmation. · 3. Precommission fired heaters including dryout, refractory cure, and burner pilot verification. · 4. Precommission columns and drums including internals inspection and level instrument verification. · 5. Precommission heat exchangers including tube-side and shell-side hydrotest and heatup rates. · Pump Precommissioning Steps
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Verify alignment within 0.002 in TIR |
| 2 | Flush and fill seal plan per API 682 |
| 3 | Verify rotation direction decoupled |
| 4 | Check driver solo run 2 hr (Module 6) |
| 5 | Couple; vent casing; prime via bypass |
| 6 | Start against closed discharge ≤30 seconds |
| 7 | Open discharge; verify flow, NPSHa, bearing temp |
| 8 | Run 4 hr with load; log trend data |
| Compressor Precommissioning | |
| Item | Action |
| Barring gear | Rotate 10+ revolutions; confirm no rub |
| Lube / seal oil | Run 24 hr; filter delta-P stable; NAS class met |
| Dryout / warmup | 1.8 °F/min (1 °C/min) max on casing |
| Minimum flow recycle | Open before rolling to speed |
| Rotor axial position | Within vendor thrust tolerance |
| First roll | Slow-roll to check balance piston, seal leak |
| Surge test | From designed ASV start; verify controller action |
| Overspeed test | 115% rated on turbine driver |
| Fired Heater Precommissioning | |
| Step | Action |
| Refractory dryout | Purge + light pilots |
| Leak check fuel gas | Pressurize burner headers |
| Pilot light-off | Per light-off permissive |
| Main burner | One at a time |
| Firing rate | Stepwise |
| Tube warmup | Oil in tubes |
| Column / Drum Precommissioning | |
| Item | Check |
| Trays / packing | Match internals drawing, anti-jump bars installed |
| Distributor levelness | ±0.125 in across tray |
| Downcomer clearance | Per vendor |
| Level instruments | All LTs zero and span verified at static condition |
| Relief valves | Set pressure sealed; inlet/outlet correct |
| Manway closure | Final torque witnessed |
| Internal cleanliness | No rags, tools, debris — signed BEFORE final closure |
| Heat Exchanger Precommissioning | |
| Item | Check |
| Hydrotest | Shell and tube sides separately |
| Tube bundle seating | Per spec, no bow |
| Expansion joint | Shipping bolts removed |
| Heatup rate | 100 °F/hr typical to avoid thermal shock |
| Cold side first | Start cold fluid before hot |
| Vent high points | Remove gas lock before start |
| Bolt torque | Verified per spec at hot and cold |
| ◄ Return to Instructions |
Source: Commissioning_and_Startup_Training_Curriculum_v1.xlsx · Sheet: Mod 8 - Equipment Pre-Comm
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