Locating leaks and proof-testing gas and oil pipelines is easy with portable hydrostatic testers. Australian Pump Industries make a range of hydrostatic test units with flows to 150 litres per minute and pressures up to 500 BAR (7,300 psi).
Gas and oil pipelines must be structurally sound and able to withstand their maximum operating pressure. Testing is done by filling the pipes with water and pumping the pressure up higher than the maximum allowable operating level. The pressure is then held for up to 8 hours to establish the pipe’s integrity. In a major breakthrough, Australian Pump can now offer testing capabilities up to 500 BAR (7,300 psi) and is currently developing units to test to 750 BAR (10,000 psi). For high pressure applications, as required for gas pipelines, the heart of the system is a ‘Big Berty’ Bertolini pump. These heavy duty triplex pumps are slow speed and designed for continuous running applications.
Aussie hydrostatic testers are fitted with an adjustable regulator that enables the operator to set the required pressure. They are equipped with a double lock off valve system and two pressure gauges. This enables the operator to isolate the pump from the job and check the line pressure is maintained. The units are trolley mounted for ease of movement on site. The standard range uses top quality industrial diesel engines. The range also includes petrol, hydraulic, electric and flame-proof electric drive units. Machines with pressures of up to 40 bar are commonly used for testing water supply lines and similar relatively low pressure systems. Australian Pump use rugged diaphragm style positive displacement pumps to provide pressure and flow for these applications.
Hydrostatic testing is also very effective in proof testing pumps, valves, pressure vessels and other liquid system products. For example, the use of hydrostatic testers is widely employed by Australian Pump for testing pump bodies for leaks after assembly. “Our hydrostatic testers are now working in the Middle East, Indonesia and right through out Australia’s water, oil and gas industries” said Aussie Pumps Brad Farrugia”. “The units are simple to set up and easy to use. Regular testing can detect dangerous leaks that are both costly and can lead to environmental contamination,” he said. For further information including a simple guide to the use of hydrostatic testers is available free of charge from Australian Pump Industries and Aussie Pump Distributors throughout Australia.