Extreme tests on piping devices

CRM group can perform fire, cryogenic, pressure or leaks tests on piping devices such as valves and gaskets.

Fire safe testing

Low (cryogenic) and high temperature testing

Pressure testing

Leak testing

 

Fire safe testing

The fire safe test places a device (valve, gasket…) under pressure in an environment simulating a fire on a plant. This includes a burning period of 30 minutes (i.e. the average time for an emergency service to extinguish a fire on a plant), followed by a forced cool down with water. During and after the fire exposition, the seat leakage is measured as well as the tightness of the seals. At the end of the test, the operability of the valve is also tested.

Our fire safe test bench has been engineered and realised in-house:

  • Pressure: 500 bar max, class 2500
  • Weight of the valve: 2 t max

The fire safe test can be performed according to clients requirements or the following standards:

  • API 607
  • ISO 10497
  • BS 6755
  • API 6FA
  • API 6FB
 

Low (cryogenic) and high temperature testing

Low temperature tests are performed on devices to define their containment capability while immersed in a nitrogen bath or in a controlled cold atmosphere from 0°C to minus 150°C.

Tests at ambient temperature and elevated temperature can also be performed (up to 400 °C).

The measured parameters are the tightness of the body and the seats, as well as the controllability after test. During the test, we also measure torque to operate (open/close) the valve.

Limits of the test bench:

  • 300 bar max (gas)
  • Torque measurements : 20.000 Nm max
  • Weight of the valve: 2 t max
  • - 196°C to 400°C

These tests can be performed according to client requirements or the following standards:

  • Cryogenic/low temperature: ISO 28921-1, BS 6364, SHELL
  • Low fugitive emissions: ISO 15848-1
  • Design validation testing according to Shell specification MESC SPE 77/300
 

Pressure testing

Tests under pressure can be performed for leak detection, for control of the mechanical resistance or bursting limit.

Many piping devices can be tested: gas filters, tubes, valves, heat exchangers, metallic and plastic vessels…

These tests can be performed in laboratory or on customer site, and according to client requirements or the following standards :

  • API 598
  • EN 13185
  • EN 13184
  • EN 13445

Limits of the test bench:

  • 2000 bar max
  • Fluids: water, oil, air, nitrogen, helium
 

Leak testing

Leak testing is a means to detect, quantify and locate leaks in various applications, which is notably important for health, safety and environmental aspects.

Many methods can be applied, depending on the application, on the size of the tested device and on the objective in terms of detection limits: overpressure or underpressure methods, involving tracer gas such as Helium (and dedicated sniffing device), using chemical monitoring in large containment volume or simply following changes in pressure.

These tests can be performed according to client requirements or the following standards:

  • ISO 20485
  • EN 13185
  • EN 13184
  • EN 13445