Request for hydrostatic testing of the heat exchanger tube bundle
Thread Content
During the maintenance of the equipment, what is the hydrostatic test pressure for the heat exchanger? It is 1.25 times the design pressure at the time the new tube bundle leaves the factory. So, when the tube bundle needs to be maintained again after several years of use, should the test still be carried out at the design pressure, or should it be 1.5 times the operating pressure?
The hydrostatic test of the heat exchanger tube bundle after maintenance should generally be carried out at 1.25 times the design pressure, unless there are specific requirements or the condition of the equipment necessitates a different pressure level. .
Why should 1.5 times the work pressure be used?
Pressurize according to the pressure specified on the equipment nameplate; since the pressure difference between the tube side and the shell side can be significant, it is also necessary to check any special requirements regarding pressurization outlined in the overall design specifications.
The old pipe bundles are still pressurized to the design pressure – won’t that cause leaks with such high pressure?
I don’t understand what you mean either. If leaks are detected when testing at the design pressure, it indicates that the tube bundle is not up to standard. If the pressure for the pressure test is changed in order to meet the standards, then what’s the point of conducting a pressure test at all?
1.25 is fine; why 1.5?