Pipelines and other similar units have to be occasionally tested to see if there are existing or possible leaks and if their performance is still adequate. Hydro testing is usually required by authorities after different repairs, but it has to be performed in regular intervals just to check if everything is working properly. Similar testing is used for pressure vessels and other pressure units.
This is fully nondestructive testing that will check the performances of particular unit. It can be done only when this equipment is not running and the system is shut down. The whole point is to check the unit for any leaks or other flaws that may cause the failure or need any type of repairs before placing the equipment into normal operating state.
When it comes to different pipelines, the system should be first totally emptied, and all natural gas, oil or other substances removed. After that, the pipeline should be mechanically cleaned and vented. The whole system is then filled with water, and this process removes all the remains of air held within. After that, the pressure that exceeds the designed pressure limit of this pipeline is applied.
For this particular procedure, the pressure that exceeds the normally used pressure by 50 percent is used. Once under exceeded pressure, the pipes should be visually checked for possible leaks and other problems that may occur. Fluorescent dyes are also used in some cases, where it is important to find the origin of the leaks or various cracks in the structure. The use of dyes makes all this much easier.
After the process is finished, the pipes should be cleaned and dried before you can refill them with the medium they were designed to carry. The person applying the test has to take into consideration the differences between the fluids and how their different properties may affect the entire system.
For pressure vessels and similar units another technique is applied. Depending on the purpose, you can use one of three most common methods. The first one is used mostly for testing pressure vessels, and this is the method of direct expansion. The vessel is first filled with previously set amount of water. After that, it's put under pressure, for calculated time. During that time, some amount of water gets expelled from the vessel, and this should be measured.
The second method is similar, but the vessel filled with water is first loaded into a sealed chamber, so called test jacked. This is why this method is called water jacket method. While in the sealed chamber, the vessel is pressurized. The applied pressure forces some amount of water out from the chamber, and the water that is expelled is measured to find out total expansion.
When the pressure is removed, the vessel shrinks to its normal size. Sometimes it doesn't shrink totally, but only partially. If it doesn't shrink at all, it needs a service. Shrinking percentage is used to determine if any kind of service is needed. When this value is not important or required by the authorities, the pressure method might be enough to check the unit for cracks and leaks, without measuring this expelled water.
This is fully nondestructive testing that will check the performances of particular unit. It can be done only when this equipment is not running and the system is shut down. The whole point is to check the unit for any leaks or other flaws that may cause the failure or need any type of repairs before placing the equipment into normal operating state.
When it comes to different pipelines, the system should be first totally emptied, and all natural gas, oil or other substances removed. After that, the pipeline should be mechanically cleaned and vented. The whole system is then filled with water, and this process removes all the remains of air held within. After that, the pressure that exceeds the designed pressure limit of this pipeline is applied.
For this particular procedure, the pressure that exceeds the normally used pressure by 50 percent is used. Once under exceeded pressure, the pipes should be visually checked for possible leaks and other problems that may occur. Fluorescent dyes are also used in some cases, where it is important to find the origin of the leaks or various cracks in the structure. The use of dyes makes all this much easier.
After the process is finished, the pipes should be cleaned and dried before you can refill them with the medium they were designed to carry. The person applying the test has to take into consideration the differences between the fluids and how their different properties may affect the entire system.
For pressure vessels and similar units another technique is applied. Depending on the purpose, you can use one of three most common methods. The first one is used mostly for testing pressure vessels, and this is the method of direct expansion. The vessel is first filled with previously set amount of water. After that, it's put under pressure, for calculated time. During that time, some amount of water gets expelled from the vessel, and this should be measured.
The second method is similar, but the vessel filled with water is first loaded into a sealed chamber, so called test jacked. This is why this method is called water jacket method. While in the sealed chamber, the vessel is pressurized. The applied pressure forces some amount of water out from the chamber, and the water that is expelled is measured to find out total expansion.
When the pressure is removed, the vessel shrinks to its normal size. Sometimes it doesn't shrink totally, but only partially. If it doesn't shrink at all, it needs a service. Shrinking percentage is used to determine if any kind of service is needed. When this value is not important or required by the authorities, the pressure method might be enough to check the unit for cracks and leaks, without measuring this expelled water.
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