Pneumatic TESTS FOR Strength AND Density

Our company provides acoustic emission monitoring services for pneumatic strength tests of process pipelines, vessels and apparatuses operating under pressure, as well as any other technological equipment (low and high pressure process pipelines, capacitive equipment, cryogenic equipment, ammonia refrigeration units, vacuum equipment, press equipment and much more).

According to the requirements of paragraph 168 of the Federal State Standard of Industrial Designs and Regulations (approved by Order No. 116 of 03.25.2014), hydraulic testing of pipelines with a working pressure of not more than 10 MPa, as well as vessels, is allowed to be replaced by a pneumatic test (compressed air, inert gas or a mixture of air with inert gas) at subject to simultaneous control by acoustic emission.

All pipelines covered by GOST 32569 "Technological steel pipelines", after installation and welding works, heat treatment (if necessary), quality control of welded joints with non-destructive methods, as well as after installation and final fixing of all supports, suspensions and execution of documents confirming the quality of the work performed, is subjected to external inspection, testing for strength and density, and, if necessary, to additional leak tests with a determination of the drop yes Lenia.

As a rule, the entire pipeline is subjected to testing. It is allowed to test the pipeline in separate sections, while the breakdown into sections is carried out by the installation organization in agreement with the customer.

Strength and density testing of pipelines with a nominal pressure of PN 100 can be hydraulic or pneumatic.

Replacing a hydraulic test with a pneumatic test is allowed in the following cases (accompanied by acoustic emission monitoring):

a) if the supporting building structure or supports are not designed to fill the pipeline with water;

b) at an ambient temperature below 0 ° C and the danger of freezing of individual sections of the pipeline;

c) if the use of liquid (water) is unacceptable, an instruction is developed for this type of test.

Strength and density test pneumatically with mandatory control by acoustic emission is carried out:

a) for pipelines located in existing workshops;

b) for pipelines located on overpasses, in canals or trays next to existing pipelines;

c) at a test pressure of less than 0.4 MPa (4 kgf / cm), if the fittings are made of gray cast iron on the pipelines.

Strength and density testing of pipelines for a nominal pressure of PN over 100 shall be carried out hydraulically. In technically feasible cases, for pipelines with a nominal pressure of PN up to 500, it is allowed (by agreement with supervisory authorities) to replace a hydraulic test with a pneumatic one, provided that this test is controlled by acoustic emission (AE)

When testing for strength and density, the tested pipeline (section) must be disconnected from the apparatus and other pipelines with plugs. The use of shutoff valves to shut off the tested pipeline (section) is not allowed.

Before testing, all valves installed on the pipeline must be fully open, the seals are sealed; mounting coils should be installed in place of control valves and measuring devices; all insets, fittings, lugs for instrumentation must be plugged.