RTP-1: A Standard for Reinforced Plastic Corrosion-Resistant Equipment

The use of FRP (also known as RTP—reinforced thermoset plastic) in chemical process service has grown rapidly since introduction due to its unique corrosion-resistant properties and cost effectiveness. There have been some failures due to inadequate specifications, poor design or improper fabrication. An ASME Committee was formed to provide a standard and ASME/ANSI RTP-1 “Reinforced Thermoset Plastic Corrosion Resistant Equipment” was approved as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard in March 1989. The Standard applies to stationary vessels operating at pressures not exceeding 15 psig external and/or 15 psig internal above any hydrostatic head. This article describes the detailed specification process, the methods for design and fabrication, material requirements, procedures for qualification of a shop and its personnel, the fabricator’s Quality Control Program, and inspection and testing required by the Standard. It is recognized that there will be significant costs associated with fabrication of vessels to this standard. The careful preparation of the specifications, the conservative approach to design, the qualification of the Fabricator’s shop and personnel, the inspection of incoming raw materials, the inspection and testing of the finished vessel and the services of the mutually acceptable Inspector are all cost items. Balancing these costs will be the benefits of improved safety and reliability, long life, low maintenance, and hopefully less litigation and liability. It is believed that, on an overall long-term cost basis, these benefits will far outweigh the added costs.