Valve life testing

Valve life testing

Valve testing

Valve testing and quality inspection are very important when it comes to the fluid system and smooth running system. Valve testing is the process that is used to evaluate and to test the condition or health of an operational valve. There are many different types of inspections and tests that are done on valves. This helps to make sure that they are safe for use and in best condition.

Valve life testing procedure

When it comes to testing the valves there are many testing procedures and all of them need to confirm the criteria to accept the standards. The testing criteria below shows the common tests and an overview of their procedure and other guidelines.

1.   General pressure valve testing

This test contains the filling of the valve body which is actually water with corrosion. The pressure level and time is totally dependent on the factors that include valve material, its size and the pressure test category. This test will show many issues such as visible leakages, distortion and other issues.

Common industry pressure guidelines of pressure testing valves are found in ASME B16.34, MSS-SP-61 and ISO 5208. Many tests are also recorded on paper or manually but the digital option today is the first priority.

2.   Shell testing

This kind of valve shell testing refers to the main device body. Typically the valve is embedded on the test bench and they are half opened. Then the shell is given pressure with ASME B16.34 while recommending it 1.5 times the pressure valve ratings.  For the valve to pass the shell test it is very important that there should be no visible leakage during the test duration.

3.   Seat valve testing

This valve seat testing is done after testing the valve shell. With the same ASME and API standards with the shell test guidance. The pressure should be 110% whereas the test time varies with the size of the valve.

4.   Fire testing

One of the requirements of the industrial testing is having fire protection. In the fire test the valve is pressurized and it is subjected to high flame temperature for 30 minutes. During this testing period the leakages and the intensity both external and internal are also measured. Throughout the entire test the leakage level should be acceptable for the valve to pass the fire safe test.

5.   Fugitive emissions testing

A fugitive emission testing assesses the impact of vapor and gas leakage from the valve. When testing the fugitive emission test the common test gasses are methane and helium. This valve is pressurized with the test gas at specific temperatures. International tests such as API 624, 644, 622 and ISO 15848-1-2 all give the proper guidance on how to carry out the valve test.

Valve life testing importance

Valves are required to confirm a few leakage standards and many other checks are also done. Valve inspection and valve testing are done after every 12 month and it helps them make sure that they are still working in the best condition. This thing will vary while depending on the valve age, valve condition and what type of valves are used.