HYDROSTATIC TESTING PROCEDURE AND TYPES

HYDROSTATIC TESTING PROCEDURE AND TYPES

• Hydrostatic Testing is a process where components such as piping systems, gas cylinders, boilers, and pressure vessels are tested for strength and leaks. 

• Hydro tests are often required after shutdowns and repairs in order to validate that equipment will operate under desired conditions once returned to service. 

• hydrostatic testing cannot be performed during normal operations and cannot monitor equipment for leaks after the test has been performed. On-stream equipment integrity is best managed by an effective fixed equipment mechanical integrity program.

• Although hydrostatic testing is considered to be a nondestructive testing method, equipment can rupture and fail if the inspection exceeds a specified test pressure or if a small crack propagates rapidly.

How does it work?

• Hydrostatic testing is a type of pressure test that works by completely filling the component with water, removing the air contained within the unit, and pressurizing the system up to 1.5 times the design pressure limit the of the unit. The pressure is then held for a specific amount of time to visually inspect the system for leaks. Visual inspection can be enhanced by applying either tracer or fluorescent dyes to the liquid to determine where cracks and leaks are originating.

Common Methods:

There are three common hydrostatic testing techniques that are used to test small pressure vessels and cylinders: the water jacket method, the direct expansion method, and the proof testing method.

Water Jacket Method

• In order to conduct a this method, the the vessel is filled with water and loaded it into a sealed chamber (called the test jacket) which is also filled with water. The vessel is then pressurized inside the test jacket for a specified amount of time. This causes the vessel to expand within the test jacket, which results in water being forced out into a glass tube that measures the total expansion. Once the total expansion is recorded, the vessel is depressurized and shrinks to its approximate original size. As the vessel deflates, water flows back into the test jacket.

• Sometimes, the vessel does not return to its original size. This second size value is called permanent expansion. The difference between the total expansion and permanent expansion determines whether or not the vessel is fit-for service. Typically the higher the percent expansion, the more likely the vessel will be decommissioned.

Direct Expansion Method

• The direct expansion method involves filling a vessel or cylinder with a specified amount of water, pressurizing the system, and measuring the amount of water that is expelled once the pressure is released. The permanent expansion and the total expansion values are determined by recording the amount of water forced into the vessel, the test pressure, and amount of water expelled from the vessel.

Proof Pressure Method

• The proof pressure test applies an internal pressure and determine if the vessel contains any leaks or other weakness such as wall thinning that may result in failure.1 In the United States, This method is only permitted when the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations does not require permanent and total expansion values to be recorded.

Alternative Methods

• Some equipment may not be designed to handle the loads required for a pressure test. In these cases, alternative methods such as pneumatic testing should be employed. Pneumatic testing is another type of pressure test that involves pressurizing the vessel with a gas such as air or nitrogen instead of water. However, special caution should be used when performing pneumatic testing as gaseous mediums have the ability to be compressed and contained in larger amounts compared to hydrostatic testing.

What are the steps involved in hydrostatic testing an existing pipeline?

Step 1: Water dyed using a water soluble, biodegradeable green dye, is injected into the pipe between batches of oil being transported as part of normal operations. The water and oil are separated and sealed from each other by urethane cylinders (referred to as “pigs”), and then the batch is moved through the line until it reaches the identified segment of pipe for testing.

Step 2: The pressure of the tested segment is then raised to reach and maintain the desired test levels and time period. If there is a release of water during the test, it is located, and the affected section is repaired and re-tested. Should there be a release of water during the test, water may briefly spray into the air or pool on the ground.

Step 3: During the testing process, the segment of pipeline under pressure is patrolled by helicopter as well as on foot. Pressures are monitored using sophisticated computer data programs.

Step 4: Following the test, the water is transported down the pipeline to an Enbridge facility, typically into a tank at one of our terminals. The water is cleaned, treated, and disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations and/or environmental permits.

Step 5: Internal inspections of the pipeline using “smart pigs” provide additional data on the pipeline’s condition as well as removing remaining water and other potential contaminants.

Step 6: Any exposed area of pipe that was accessed during the test is backfilled, and property is restored.

Step 7: Normal shipment of North American crude oil resumes in the pipeline to be safely delivered to refinery customers and made into products we all depend on in our daily lives.