Atmospheric pressure equipment testing
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I would like to ask everyone for advice: I am currently designing a device with an operating pressure of 450 Pa, where the medium involved poses a high level of hazard. The operating temperature is 60 degrees, and the material used is S31603. There are three issues regarding this design, and I seek guidance on them: 1. The design pressure is set at 1 Kpa. Currently, kerosene is used for leak detection, and airtightness tests are conducted. 100% RT testing is applied to welds of types A and B, while 100% penetrant testing is used for welds of type D. Is this approach reasonable? 2. Can stainless steel equipment be tested for kerosene leaks? Have we encountered such a situation before? 3. When should atmospheric-pressure equipment be tested for leaks using water, and when should it be tested using kerosene?
1. Yes, it’s possible. Kerosene has a stronger permeability than water. 2. Kerosene has very low corrosivity, so it’s fine if you’ve never encountered it. 3. The requirements for equipment operating at atmospheric pressure are relatively lower. A lower penetration standard allows the use of water, while a higher standard requires kerosene. It depends on your usage environment. OP, for your reference.
The medium poses a high level of hazard, so it is reasonable to make it even higher in order to prevent safety accidents. Water filling for leak testing is used in situations with ordinary media where the requirements for leak detection are not very high
Some devices are not structurally suitable for water filling tests (such as those with large diameters used for smoke passage), so kerosene is used to check for leaks. Another purpose of the water filling test is to assess the strength of the container, something that cannot be replaced by kerosene leakage tests. Of course, if the structure allows for a pressure hydrotest, it is better to conduct one.
For devices of this type, it is best to design them at a higher level in accordance with pressure vessel standards
If the volume is too large, such as 3,000 cubic units, it’s not very economical to design it as a pressure vessel.