For the water test pressure of heat exchangers, how is it determined whether the pressure retention is satisfactory?
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Recently, during equipment repair work, a hydrostatic test was conducted on the shell side of the heat exchanger. The test pressure was 0.7 MPa, and the pressure was maintained for 40 minutes; no leaks were detected at the flanges. At the end of the test, the pressure read 0.67 MPa. Is this considered acceptable? Seeking advice from experts
40 minutes is long enough; use a flashlight to check around, and if no signs of leakage are visible, it’s considered passed. There are many reasons for the pressure to decrease.
A drop in pressure definitely indicates a problem; the standards require that there should be no change in pressure during the pressure retention test. This pressure change caused by the hydrostatic test must be due to some minor leaks.
The drop is a bit too large. We request a holding pressure of 1 hour.
Agree with the second floor； But it should be ensured that there are no water traces at the tube sheet ends ； Also, what are the design pressures for the tube side and shell side of the heat exchanger? The hydrostatic test pressure shall be 1.5 times the design pressure.
Heat exchangers are regulated under the fixed-volume code, with a hydrostatic test pressure of 1.25 times the working pressure.
It’s best to analyze the reasons, such as temperature issues...
Currently, our heat exchangers are undergoing hydrostatic testing, and our engineers require that the pressure applied on-site not exceed the design pressure. Why is that? .
Safety concerns may have been taken into account on site.
The drop is a bit too large; it’s best to check what’s causing this pressure drop.