Hydrostatic testing is the safest and most common method employed for testing pipes and pressure vessels; this is normally undertaken using water. Pneumatic testing using compressed inert gas or air may be used, but only under carefully-controlled conditions. Failure during testing with water releases only nominal energy because water is almost incompressible. Escape of gas during pneumatic procedures can be dangerous because it can result in the sudden release of very large amounts of energy.
In principle, tests are simple operations. The pipe or vessel joint being examined is isolated and the test medium is introduced and then pressurised. Leaks are detected either by measuring pressure fall or by examination of the surface for visual evidence.
Selecting the optimum sealing technique prior to testing requires a sound knowledge of available products. The operator needs to consider tube or pipe diameter, test pressure and possible contamination by the sealing equipment.
Products for sealing fall generally into two categories: mechanically expandable plugs and inflatable dams. Routinely available products cover diameters between 12 and 2000mm, but special versions have been developed to accommodate testing of smaller and larger pipes. Access for pressurising is through a standard fitting in all plugs and dams.
Plugs are available from manufacturers such as Huntingdon Fusion Techniques with nylon, steel and aluminium bodies. Sandwiched between each body is a flexible seal that can be expanded by applying a radial force through a manually operated machine screw/bar on the shaft. These seals are available in a variety of materials including nitrile, Viton, natural rubber and silicone. Specially braced plugs and double disc plugs are available for use at higher pressures.
As the diameter of expandable plugs increases, so does the weight. For some applications where these plugs may be useful, they often become too heavy to handle with safety (the weight of an 1800mm diameter steel plug is 178kg). The solution is to use inflatable dams: these are available to accommodate pipe diameters between 35 and 3000 mm.
Manufacturers such as Huntingdon Fusion Techniques have a range of dams, each having a wide degree of flexibility in diameter. The dams are capable of withstanding a temperature range between -40 to +70ºC – (up to 300⁰C with heat-resistant covers). These devices can be inflated quickly to sealing and working pressure and are resistant to most hydrocarbon gases and fluids. The dams are manufactured from a variety of materials depending on the application.
Generally, the length of inflatable dams ensures that the sealing area is very large compared with expanding plugs and also ensures that tilting of such mechanical plugs, once inside the pipe, does not occur.
These dams can also be used to prevent build-up of debris and ingress of unwanted material or animals.
Inflation is carried out using a compressor or foot pump through an integrated valve system. An optional by-pass facility allows for admission of liquids or gases to the sealed volume following inflation. The by-pass is also used for draining after testing.
FURTHER INFORMATION
BS EN 1507:2006. Ventilation for buildings. Sheet metal air ducts with rectangular section. Requirements for strength and leakage
BS EN 8301:1985 BS 8301:1985. Code of practice for building drainage