Process industry

High-integrity repair of a 316L VLAREM tank

Leakages in the bottom and side-wall welds of a 316L stainless steel VLAREM tank: from QA/QC management and inspection to on-site weld repair and final inspection.

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Herstelling van lasnaden in een 316L VLAREM-tank

The challenge

Leakages were detected in the bottom and side-wall welds of a 316L stainless steel VLAREM tank in the process industry. Initial inspection revealed significant weld quality issues, including porosity and start-stop defects.

Because the tank is part of a critical process installation, repairing only the visible leakage points was not sufficient. A systematic inspection and repair approach was needed to identify the full extent of the weld defects.

Our assignment

CQM Welding supported the project from quality management through to the physical on-site repair: full QA/QC management, the Inspection & Test Plan (ITP), welding documentation (WPS, PQR and WPQ), inspection and certification coordination, coordination with the notified body, final inspection support and on-site weld repair execution.

Our approach

Inspection before repair. The tank was thoroughly cleaned and prepared. Penetrant Testing (PT) identified the surface-breaking weld discontinuities and the areas requiring repair, including porosity and imperfections around start-stop locations.

Controlled weld repair. The defective weld sections were prepared and repaired using qualified welding procedures and qualified welders for 316L stainless steel, with particular attention to preparation, execution and the inspection sequence.

Verification. The repaired welds were subsequently inspected. The approach: identify, inspect, repair, verify and document.

Project details

Sector: Process industry

Services performed: Certified Welding & Piping, Inspections & NDT, Project Management & QA/QC, WPS, WPQR & WPQ

Period: May 2026
Material: 316L stainless steel
Scope: QA/QC, ITP, WPS/PQR/WPQ, PT, weld repair, final inspection

The result

From leakage to a compliant, inspected tank

The 316L VLAREM tank was fully repaired, inspected and brought back into a compliant condition, ready for continued operation. By combining quality management, inspection, welding engineering and on-site execution, CQM Welding provided one integrated solution, from identifying the defects to completing and verifying the repair.