Thursday, June 16, 2016

What You Need To Know About Hydrostatic Pipeline Testing

By Robert Edwards


Public safety is the first priority in the pipeline industry. This is for the reason that each day, pipelines operates underneath our feet with most people not conscious of it. To ensure public safety, the major concern altogether aims at maintained pipeline integrity. In protecting such integrity, hydrostatic pipeline testing is one process of management that is applied. This process entails around the clock monitoring and maintenance, and a sophisticated inspection and leak detection processes.

Hydrostatic testing is a process that involves filling the pipelines with a liquid commonly water, and pressurizing them at a high level that goes beyond the normal operation pressure. This process ensures that the pipes are defect free. This kind of testing is not only limited to pipelines but is also used to test for leaks and the strength of gas cylinders, plumbing, fuel tanks and boilers.

While doing the test, tightness of the pressure is usually measured by checking if there is any pressure loss and closing the supply valve. When the liquid is the colored, it is easier to identify the areas of the leaks. To test the strength of the vessel you are supposed to measure the deformation of the pipe. By this testing method, vessel durability and safety standard can be maintained over time. Also, new vessels always qualified by the hydrostatic test.

This type of test has been used for many years to verify and determine pipeline integrity. Through this test process, various flaws can be detected. Some of these flaws are such as material defects, active corrosion cells, stress corrosion cracking as well as actual pipe mechanical properties and localized hard spots which could lead to failure if hydrogen is present. The test is usually important for a nondestructive pipeline evaluation when correct test pressure is used and judiciously utilized to get the necessary results.

Generally, pipelines intended for use at a particular maximum pressure necessitate for tests that determine if they are able to withstand internal pressure and for structural soundness before they put to use. For instance, gas pipelines are hydro tested prior to use. A segment of the pipe is filled up with water and then the pressure is propelled into specified value typically above the maximum pressure for operating. This pressure is maintained for a specified duration in-between four to eight hours.

Normally, the test is always safe and it is generally accepted for testing pipelines. If the pipelines fail when being tested, usually there are large water leaks. Plans are always put in place as well as a repair team in case of the leakage. This is because such leakage can cause flooding.

Before any test is carried out, extensive planning normally takes place in order to minimize any form inconvenience to the locals as well as the customers. However, depending on the weather and gas venting location, you could smell gas. Such a situation is normally safe.

The contaminated water that is used is usually filtered of after the testing is done, before being released from the pipes. Clean and tested water can be released into an open field or a sewer system once permitted by the relevant authority before it is released.




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