Safer pneumatic tests?
Safer pneumatic tests?
(OP)
New to the forum.
We are a custom piping manufacture job shop that at times must perform pneumatic tests.
Has anyone ever used or consider a volume displacement "device" to reduce the stored energy?
Test pressures are typically below 200 psig but volume can exceed ~ 1000 ft3.
We can make closed cylinders for each project but handling and cost is always an issue.
Initial thoughts are design approved non-metallic spheres, sealed PVC pipes,...?
Thank you in advance.
We are a custom piping manufacture job shop that at times must perform pneumatic tests.
Has anyone ever used or consider a volume displacement "device" to reduce the stored energy?
Test pressures are typically below 200 psig but volume can exceed ~ 1000 ft3.
We can make closed cylinders for each project but handling and cost is always an issue.
Initial thoughts are design approved non-metallic spheres, sealed PVC pipes,...?
Thank you in advance.





RE: Safer pneumatic tests?
RE: Safer pneumatic tests?
you might want to look at the plastic vapor containment balls for you lower pressures and a solid ball for the higher pressure. You can get a good volume reduction with a mixture of sizes.
They are other suppliers that make plastic balls for large scale covers on waste ponds.
Here is one supplier for plastic balls.
http://www.orangeproducts.com/index.htm
Another approach might be is to use syntactic foam a product
that can take exceptional external pressure with collapsing.
http://www.cmtmaterials.com/syntactic.htm
http://www.cumingcorp.com/flotation.php
RE: Safer pneumatic tests?
Another approach might be to use syntactic foam a product
that can take exceptional external pressure without collapsing.
RE: Safer pneumatic tests?
unclesyd - Thanks. Haven't heard of syntactic foam and will investigate.
Ideally, since our diameters are often 100" or greater, we would like to use larger diameter plastic balls. Weight might be a concern if solid.
We considered fiberglass spheres or vessels but have discarded them due to brittle nature. PVC may not be much better.
RE: Safer pneumatic tests?
The foams from GP will take loads of 300 and 1000 PSI with a very small deflection. I'm not sure about the Dow material as the only information I have is a little test I ran yesterday where at a 130 psig there was no discernible volume change in a small block of a much lower density material than the Dow 100.
This could be one avenue of approach in the resolution of your project. There is such a wide choice of materials available giving you numerous possibilities.
Last-A-Foam 3300; Last-A-Foam 3900
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RE: Safer pneumatic tests?
Bud Trinkel, Fluid Power Consultant
HYDRA-PNEU CONSULTING
RE: Safer pneumatic tests?
budt: We can't use water since the internals contain items that would be harmed by the water (such as refractory or bagged insulation). Required assembly order prevents hydro of finished unit prior to the installation of these items.