Boiler installation ball passing test
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During boiler installation, how is a ball test carried out after both ends of the exhaust are welded to the header? If a ball passing test is conducted only on one end of the header of the tube bank, is it not necessary to perform a similar test on the weld between that header and the tube bank at the other end? I would appreciate some advice from those who are more experienced.
Please check your company’s boiler installation quality certificate
In my opinion, once both ends are welded to the header, you can no longer control whether the ball enters each pipe, and it loses its meaning
Generally, there are operation manuals for ball passing, and there are also requirements in the installation specifications; just follow those requirements when performing ball passing
The ball passing test is primarily used to check whether each pipe in the pipe array is unobstructed and free of any foreign objects. Therefore, it is best to conduct a ball-passing test on the pipe tray before welding.
In boilers, when the nominal outer diameter of the heat-exchanging tubes is not greater than 60 mm, their butt joints and elbows shall undergo a ball-passing inspection (i.e., ball test)； For details, please refer to Clause 6 of 4.2.1 in GB50273-2009 \"Code for Construction and Acceptance of Boiler Installation Projects\".
As long as the ball can be taken out, it needs to be passed through.
GB50273-2009 does not specify how to conduct a ball test after the tube bank and the end headers are welded together (without welding the end covers of the headers). Please give further guidance. Thank you!