Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
(OP)
Hi All,
I'm trying to find out if I can hydrostatically pressure an ANSI 300 lb (PN50) flange, past it's pressure rating of PN50?
I have a stainless steel pipe with ANSI 300lb flanges on it. The operating conditions below 50 bar, however I need to undertake a hydrostatic pressure test (with water) approximately 20% above 50 bar.
Does any one know what the test pressure of these flanges and/or if there are any links/references that indicate what I can test the flanges to?
I'm trying to find out if I can hydrostatically pressure an ANSI 300 lb (PN50) flange, past it's pressure rating of PN50?
I have a stainless steel pipe with ANSI 300lb flanges on it. The operating conditions below 50 bar, however I need to undertake a hydrostatic pressure test (with water) approximately 20% above 50 bar.
Does any one know what the test pressure of these flanges and/or if there are any links/references that indicate what I can test the flanges to?





RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
"Sharing knowledge is the way to immortality"
His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
http://waterhammer.hopout.com.au/
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisors one in a thousand' ... Book of Ecclesiasticus
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
You will find all of the information that you seek in the Standard that these flanges come from. If you have an ASME B16.5 flange, then you can find your answers in ASME B16.5. Buy it, read, and come back here if you have questions.
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
As for the rant, all us old guys call 'em ANSI, vs. API flanges. It wasn't all that many years ago that ASME took over the B16.5 spec from ANSI. Watch out for API flanges, totally different bolt patterns and thicknesses.
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
In 1988 it was a joint ASME/ANSI Code. Since 1996, it has been solely an ASME Standard. After 15 years, maybe it's time...
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
[rant]Answer the question.[/rant]
Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisors one in a thousand' ... Book of Ecclesiasticus
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisors one in a thousand' ... Book of Ecclesiasticus
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
It's a darn sight easier to figure out "ANSI B16.5 vs ASME B16.5" than it is to figure out that whole, sordid, "...Class 2000 vs 2000# vs CWP vs WOG vs whatever else..." thing.
But that's just me...
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
Many users here, though, are careless (or ignorant of the differences). Pre-1988, Standard Flanges would be listed as ANSI. Flanges manufactured to the 1988 Edition would be listed as ANSI/ASME. Flanges manufactured to the 1996 and newer Standard would be ASME.
Part of my rant was directed at the OP, because they appeared to not understand the whole "Standard / Edition" context of Standard flanges. The answer to their question would be found in the Standard. So, read the Standard. Which is what I directed them to do.
If they indeed do have an ANSI 300lb flange (as stamped on the flange), then they would need to find out from the piping isometric and line class designation table, which Edition of ANSI B16.5 said flange was from, and then they would need to look up that particular Edition of ANSI B16.5 to find their answer. I know what ASME B16.5 says, from 1996 onwards, but not earlier Editions of ANSI B16.5...
If it is new construction, then...
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
Class 300 is suitable at 740 psig and -20 to 100 degree F for ASME B16.5 in castings of A 216 Gr WCB and forgings of A 105 carbon steel. A bit more such as 750 psig is good for A 216 WCC castings. However many other material tables include the working pressure well below 725 psig. Thus you must verify the material type. As an instrumentation and control systems engineer I buy lots of stuff with type 316 SSt. Types A 182 Gr. F316 and A 351 Gr. CF3 are just below your 50 bar suggestion. The multiplier suggested could still apply. Things could go to hell in a handbasket for B 564 Gr. N02200 (rated 240 psig for Cl 300 and only 720 psig at Class 900. B 564 Gr. N08810 etc. may not be quite as bad.
The approximate 1.5 design pressure multiplier mentioned by BigInch for hydrostatic checking of the piping for leakage is correct. You need to know the piping system design pressure etc. and learn more about hydrostatic pressure testing as suggested. Hydrotesting is well outside my knowledge of the piping game.
BTW I could be wrong, right?
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
RE: Can I Pressure Test a flange past it's Rated Pressure
If people use the wrong expressions then it behoves the more knowledgable engineer to correct them.
My pet hate:- people who still refer to HDPE. The third generation PE100 is actually MDPE. Yes, its black and round and tastes the same but it aint HDPE! MDPE has different properties to HDPE and thus if HDPE is specified either the material is non compliant to PE100 standards or if it is HDPE will have reduced life compared to PE100.
"Sharing knowledge is the way to immortality"
His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
http://waterhammer.hopout.com.au/