Pipeline pressure test time
Thread Content
The standard specifies that the pressure should be reduced to the design pressure 10 minutes after reaching the test pressure, after which leaks are checked. In actual field operations, however, the pressure is maintained at 1.5 times the test pressure for a long time – several hours or even over a dozen hours. How can this be explained?
In practice, for greater safety and stability, the pressure is usually held at the test level for a period of time after it has been reached, to ensure that there are no leaks or gaps in the piping system. It is also done to ensure that the piping system can withstand long-term operating pressure through prolonged testing. Therefore, in actual on-site operations, the holding time may be longer than the time specified in the standards. However, it is necessary to ensure that there are no leaks or seepages in the piping system, and a thorough inspection must be carried out. .
Isn’t that standard time too short? Has the safe load-bearing capacity of the pipes been taken into account? I mean, could prolonged use damage the strength of the pipes or their accessories?