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Hydrotesting / Pneumatic HTesting

Hydrotesting / Pneumatic HTesting

Hydrotesting / Pneumatic HTesting

(OP)
thread378-235027: Pipe testing - Air vs water testing

Alot has been said for the dangers of Pneumatic Testing compared to hydrotesting.

Due to the serious consequences that may erupt during pneumatic testing, is there a way that we can protect testers due to a possible eruption or explosion?

Such as for cylinders limited in size, can we test the cylinder to the required pressure (say 600 psi) with Nitrogen while being inserted in a pail of water or other.  What would be the effects if the cylinder erupted and failed the test?

Or, without the use of a water barrel, can we utilize an open ended container (preferably see through) and insert the container within and conduct our pneumatic h-test?

 

RE: Hydrotesting / Pneumatic HTesting

When I did cylinder testing at Big 3 back in old days, we tested 20 cylinders at a time, including those 5000 psi N2 cylinders tested to 7500 psig, all standing vertically immersed up to the 90% level in 1 water trough.  I don't know if its still done that way today though.  Popped a few burst disks, but never lost a cylinder.  Now that I think about it, the water probably was more for cooling the cylinders during pressure-up rather than employee protection.

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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

RE: Hydrotesting / Pneumatic HTesting

They still test cylinders in water. I don't know the cut off size.         
I would check the Cylinder Gas Association site for some information. If you are near a Scuba Dive Shop you might check with them for their codes as they still check dive cylinders under water.

A little guidance from Catalina Cylinders with references in the information presented.

http://www.catalinacylinders.com/index.html

http://www.cganet.com/
 

RE: Hydrotesting / Pneumatic HTesting

no problem as long as you stand way back

RE: Hydrotesting / Pneumatic HTesting

(OP)
With testing with N2 and submersing the container within water, the effects should be minimal if a cylinder does rupture.  Is there a way to calculate the actual results?

It would be best while filling the canister to visually identify any leaks or other during the test.

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