Testing of pressure vessels
Thread Content
Why must the airtightness test of pressure vessels be carried out only after the hydraulic test is successful?
I really hadn’t paid attention to this issue. Firstly, the hydrostatic test is relatively easy to carry out and safe; most problems can be detected through this test. It’s important to ensure the safety of the airtightness test as well
The airtightness test should be the final step, right! If airtightness is ensured before the hydrostatic test, how can we guarantee airtightness in case there is deformation during the hydrostatic test? Generally, the water pressure test value is higher than the airtightness test value!
The pressure test (hydrostatic or pneumatic) is primarily used to assess strength; only pressure vessels that pass the strength test can ensure safety, and only then can they undergo a leak-tightness test. In other words, containers that undergo airtightness testing without first undergoing strength testing may experience safety accidents
Gas under the same pressure is far more powerful than water; for safety reasons, hydrostatic testing should be carried out first whenever it is possible. As for the need for airtightness, it is due to the high precision of gases, which helps to ensure greater tightness of the equipment.
When designing pressure vessels, we first ensure that the hydraulic test is successful, that is, we confirm that the strength of the vessel meets the required standards, before proceeding with the airtightness test. Generally, when the requirements for the medium are high, such as in the case of toxic substances, an airtightness test is necessary