PIPING HYDRO-STATIC TEST

COMPREHENSION

Two types “Shop test and After

installation test”
First, the hydro-static test of spool at Workshop is prefer to check the
quality or strength of Welding joints, integral fittings and confirm
whether it can satisfy the rule/standards requirement.

TEST PRESSURE (Tp)= 1.5 DESIGN PRESSURE (Dp)

Spo
ol shop hydro-test
“But we can not do final all spools at workshop and just bring on-board
for assembly because there’re many Field Joints waiting you ahead.
Depend on the flexibility of Rule/Spec, the low pressure pipe’s  field joints
can be tested under max.working pressure”

Second, in ideal condition, no more welding joints on-board, the Leak

test will be carried out after assembly on each individual system (can be
combined if the test pressure is coincident) to confirm there no any
leakage.

Tp = Dp, excepted for Hydraulic system, Fuel oil, Steam, Fire line …
that Tp = 1.5 Dp (not need more than 70 bar – DNV). <Please care fully
read the Rule and Spec>.

Site system
hydro-test/ leak test
Refer to the ISO 13628-6
 No
rmally, it’s satisfy if there’s no leakage at the time of inspection, it’s about 30 minute for one
system, the pressure gauge shall not be dropped below the required Tp during inspecting
period.

Concerning item:
Test kits (gauges, manifold, blind flanges, vents, relief valve, water
supplying hoses, water quality ect.,)
At least one vent and one pressure gauge to be provided on top of the testing line.

Pressure gauge’s needle have to be return to “O” after full water released.
Note as advice: “the Pressure gauge range should to be in range of 1.5Tp
to 4Tp and the Needle should not turn over 2/3 gauge range or Tp<2/3
Max.Gauge’s range”

Test kits secured due to high pressure

Secure wires provided for avoid “Flying Bullet” or “Head shot” 🙂

Pressure test calculation/ temp rating
In offshore project where the strictly compliance with code and standard is
really a problems with all the fabricators.

The general steel’s yield strength is about 300-450Mpa ~ 3000-4000 kg/cm2 ~ 40000psi-

60000psi

Max.working pressure vs Design
pressure.
Sometime, there’s confusion between those above concepts that leading to
mis-understanding in final evaluation.

“The design pressure is defined as the maximum working pressure,

and shall not be less than the highest set pressure of the safety valve or
relief device. For special cases, the design pressure will be specially
considered. For pipes which are connected to pumps, design pressure shall
be taken equal to the maximum pump pressure, i.e. the safety valve set
pressure for displacement pumps, and for centrifugal pumps the maximum
pressure on the head-capacity characteristic.” – DNV Pt.4 Ch6 (A303)
Holding time and release procedure
In shipbuilding industry, the piping system carried out with low pressure
and less toxic contented liquid, thereby at the time of inspection – no
leakage – satisfying enough!!!

Meanwhile, in offshore building, the piping system like process piping

will be suffer to very high pressure (up to 600-800 bars) and carried out
with high toxic contented gas/liquid. So the pressure raising sequence and
dropping sequence is specially concerned in testing procedure for
making equalization of piping strain/ stress.
 Hold
ing time is normally about 30 – 60 mins.

An example for Hydro-test chart record

Problems with Pressure Drop/Increase

due to Cold/Hot condition
In case of pressure increase, there may a potential of material damages or
cracking propaganda. Piping team should be aware and control the
temperature properly ( Ice can be use for cooling down sometime ) for nice
plot Chart record.

The problems with pressure drop is always be serious concerned, 2%-5%

allowable for the Drop depended on Project specification.

Some project will require Double test for Hydraulic system (FAT -Factory Acceptance Test)

Safety requirement
The PSV setting 1.1-1.2 Tp is general practice.
Coating and insulation condition
All the weld joints have to be cleaned (no insulation, no paint), Primer
may be used as per the contract agreement.