Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

Test Procedure
For Testing of Cryogenic Valves
Based on BS 6364, API 598
and EPA Method 21

Revised By: ____________________________

Vahe Najarian, Eng.
Corporate Manager,
R&D and Engineering Support

Reviewed By: ____________________________

Christian Beguian, Eng.
R&D Manager

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 1 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

1. INTRODUCTION

The following procedure covers the testing for sealing and operability of

a) Cryogenic valves tested at -196 °C (-320 °F).

b) Low temperature valves, tested at -46 °C (-50 °F).

This procedure is based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA Method 21, to the extent
applicable and specified herein.

2. TEST PLAN

The test comprised of the following tests at ambient temperature, then cryogenic or
low temperature and again at ambient temperature as given below:

2.1 Ambient Temperature: - Shell and seat test according to API 598.

- System proving seat test.

2.2 Cryogenic or low - Repeat system proving seat test.

Temperature:
- Operational tests for opening and closing torques.

- Low pressure seat test.

- High pressure seat test at incremental pressures

up to high seat test pressure.

2.3 Ambient Temperature - Repeat system proving seat test.

- External leakage test.

- Visual examination.

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 2 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

3. TEST TEMPERATURES

3.1 Ambient temperature: Test performed at 25 ± 10 °C (77 ± 18 °F).

3.2 Cryogenic temperature: Test performed at -196 ± 5 °C (-320 ± 9 °F).

3.3 Low temperature: Test performed at -46 ± 3 °C (-50 ± 6 °F).

4. SEAT TEST PRESSURES

4.1 Low pressure seat test: Test at 80 psig.

4.2 System proving seat test: Test at high seat test pressure (one increment), as per
table below.

Exception: For soft seated ball valves at ambient

temperature, Test at low seat test pressure (as per API
598).

4.3 High pressure seat test: Raise the pressure in increments up to seat test pressure
as given in the table below. Measure and record the
leakage rate at each pressure interval.

Pressure Class High Seat Test Increment of Test

(ASME B16.34) Pressure* Pressure
(psi) (psi)
150 275 100
300 720 250
600 1,440 375
800 1,800 375
900 2,000 400
1500 2,000 400

*Note: If the valve maximum permissible working pressure at 20°C or the

valve seat rating is less than that shown in above table, use the
lower value as the high seat test pressure.

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 3 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

4.4 Duration of Seat Test: 10 minutes minimum at each pressure interval.

4.5 Direction of Seat Test:

4.5.1 Globe and gate valves: Seat test is conducted in the normal flow direction for the
valve.

4.5.2 Check valves: Seat test is conducted in the reverse flow direction of the
valve.

4.5.3 Ball and Butterfly valves: Seat test is conducted in preferred direction.

4.5.4 Bidirectional sealing: For valves, which are capable of sealing in both directions
the normal flow (or preferred) direction only shall be
tested. Upon specific customer request and agreement,
each sealing direction can be tested separately.

5. TEST SEQUENCE

5.1 Ambient Temperature Tests:

5.1.1 Perform shell and seat test according to API 598.

5.1.2 Purge the valve using helium gas.

5.1.3 Perform initial system proving test.

5.2 Cryogenic or Low Temperature Tests:

5.2.1 Cool down the valve. When the valve has reached the required test temperature,
allow for one hour of stabilization time, then testing may proceed.

5.2.2 Repeat initial system proving test.

5.2.3 Cycle the valve open-close 5 times. Record the operating torques for the first and last
cycle.

5.2.4 Close the valve and pressurize the valve in the seat test direction to 80 psig. Wait at
least 10 minutes to stabilize helium temperature.

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 4 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

5.2.5 Record seat leakage rate.

5.2.6 Increase the pressure in stages to the maximum seat pressure as described in
Section 3.3. At each test pressure, wait at least 10 minutes to stabilize the gas
temperature.

5.2.7 Record the seat leakage rate at each of the pressure intervals.

5.3 Ambient Temperature Tests after Cryogenic Tests:

5.2.1 Remove the valve from liquid nitrogen and let it warm back to ambient temperature.

5.3.2 Repeat initial proving test.

5.4 External Leakage Test

5.4.1 With the valve half-open, pressurize the valve to 90 psig helium gas.

5.4.2 Use the helium mass spectrometer to sniff the leakage around the valve for the entire
test duration. Mass spectrometer is to be calibrated (before use) as per the equipment
manufacturers procedure. A one-time packing-bolt, bonnet-bolt, and end-flange-bolt
re-torque is allowed during testing.

Valve Size Test Time (minutes)

3” to 16” 6
> 16” 9

5.4.3 Retainerless design dual plate check valves are exempt from external leakage test. A
retainerless design has no openings through the body, i.e. no packing and no
body/bonnet gasket.

5.5 VISUAL EXAMINATION

After successful testing, the test flanges on the valve shall be removed and the disc
and seat sealing area shall be visually inspected to the extent possible (practical only
on large valves).

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 5 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

6. ALLOWABLE LEAKAGE RATES

6.1 Seat leakage:

Allowed Seat Leak (standard cc/minute/inch)

Valve Type
Class 150, 300 & 600 Class 800, 900 & 1500
Ball, gate, globe & Butterfly: 150 200
Check: 300 400

6.2 External leakage: at no time throughout the duration of the test, shall a reading of
>1x10-4 cc/sec or 50 PPM be sustained for more than ten (10)
seconds.

7. TEST SET-UP for CRYOGENIC TESTS:

7.1 The valve to be tested is supported in a stainless steel tank. The sides and the
underside of the tank are insulated on the outer faces. The valve is held between
blind flanges with small bore piping leading to the fixtures to supply the pressurising
media. Stem position is vertical for gate, globe, ball and butterfly valves. Check valves
(swing, dual plate, etc.) may be tested in either vertical or horizontal disc position.

7.2 The valve temperature is lowered by filling the tank with the cooling medium (see
below table), to a level above the body-bonnet bolting. The valve temperature is
monitored by a thermocouple, installed on the valve body or end plate. The test is
commenced when the valve temperature is stabilized within the test temperature
tolerances, as indicated by the thermocouples.

Cooling Medium Test Valve @ Temperature

Liquid Nitrogen. Cryogenic @ -196 °C (-320 °F).
Dry ice, mixed with a heat transfer fluid Low temperature @ -46 °C (-50 °F).
(eg. Ethylene Glycol).

7.3 Test gas (see below table) from a fully charged bottle is used to provide test pressure
on the inlet side of the valve. The opening and closing torques for the valve are
measured using a torque wrench.

Test Gas Test Valve @ Temperature

Minimum 97% pure Helium. Cryogenic @ -196 °C (-320 °F).
Minimum 97% pure Helium or Nitrogen, mixed Low temperature @ -46 °C (-50 °F).
with 1% Helium (for external leak detection).

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 6 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

7.4 All instruments (flowmeter, pressure gauges, torque wrench, etc.) are to be calibrated.

7.5 A typical test rig is shown on sketch ‘A’.

8. Flowmeters, Flowmeter Calibration, Seat Leak, and Correction Factors:

8.1 Flow meter type: Any type may be used, provided that it can be calibrated.

8.2 Flow meter calibration: Are to be calibrated for the test gas (Helium or Nitrogen). Or,
the manufactures correction factor is to be used to relate the calibration gas (typically
Nitrogen) to the test gas.

8.3 Seat leak: Allowed seat leak is measured at the flowmeter, and are at standard
atmospheric conditions.

8.4 Temperature Correction: Temperature of exiting test gas is to be measured (before

flow meter). “Charle’s law” is to be used for temperature correction. I.e. V1*T2=V2*T1.
Therefore, Q1*T2=Q2*T1.

Where: V1 is test gas volume exiting the flowmeter.

V2 is test gas volume expressed (corrected) at ambient temperature.
T1 is test gas temperature exiting the flowmeter (°R).
T2 is the standard ambient temperature (528 °R).
Q1 is test gas flow exiting the flowmeter (cc/min).
Q2 is test gas flow exiting the flowmeter and expressed (corrected) at
ambient temperature (standard cc/min).

8.5 Pressure Correction: Pressure of the exiting test gas is near atmospheric, and
assumed to have negligible effect. Therefore, measurement of exiting pressure, as
well as correction is not required.

8.6 Exemption: Some flow meters (eg. Electronic mass flow meters) are not affected by
pressure or temperature changes, and can be calibrated to provide a direct reading at
standard conditions. When such a flow meter is used, test gas pressure and
temperature (as well as correction) at the flow meter is not required.

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 7 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Procedure for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 8 of 9

 Research & Development Dept.

Test Report for Testing of Cryogenic Valves RD-416

Based on BS 6364, API 598 and EPA method 21 Rev. E
Velan Order/Item/Position: Test Date & No.:
Customer Order No.: Valve Tag No.:
Project Name: Test Temperature
Valve Fig. No.: Cooling Medium
Valve Type/Size/Class: Test Gas: ≥ 97% Pure
Actuator Type & HW ∅: (in) Allowed Seat Leak: ≤ scc/min
Flowmeter Type: Allowed External leak: ≤1x10-4 cc/sec or 50 ppm
3
Note: scc/min = standard cm /minute
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE – INITIAL PROVING TEST:

Test Pressure (psig) Duration of Seat Test (min) Seat Leak Rate (scc/min)

CRYOGENIC or Low Temp TEST: Valve stabilization Temperature (°F): Time:

Initial Proving Test Pressure (psig) Duration (min) Seat Leak (cc/min)

Cycle Opening Torque (ft.lbs) Closing Torque (ft.lbs)

Valve stroked 5 times st
1
Record Operating Torques
5th

Low Pressure Seat Test (psig) Duration (min) Seat Leak (cc/min)

Incremental Seat Test:

Increment Pressure (psig) Duration (min) Measured Seat Leak (cc/min) Corrected Seat Leak (scc/min)
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th

Ambient Temperature Tests

Initial Proving Test Pressure (psig) Duration (min) Seat Leak (scc/min)

External Leakage Test Pressure (psig) Duration (min) Valve Body

Bonnet Joint Stem Seal

Visual Examination or Comments: PASS (√ )

FAIL ( X )

Tested By Approved By Customer Witness

DATE: Revised BY: REV.: PAGE No:

Feb 22, 2007 V. Najarian E 9 of 9