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Bench Testing of Relief Valves

The document summarizes three common tests performed on relief valves during bench testing: 1) A pop test ensures the valve operates properly at its set pressure. 2) A seat leakage test checks for leaks when the valve is pressurized, usually to 90% of its set pressure. 3) A backpressure/bellow test verifies the integrity of gasket joints and any bellows when backpressure is applied from the discharge side.

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SARATH KRISHNAKUMAR
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184 views

Bench Testing of Relief Valves

The document summarizes three common tests performed on relief valves during bench testing: 1) A pop test ensures the valve operates properly at its set pressure. 2) A seat leakage test checks for leaks when the valve is pressurized, usually to 90% of its set pressure. 3) A backpressure/bellow test verifies the integrity of gasket joints and any bellows when backpressure is applied from the discharge side.

Uploaded by

SARATH KRISHNAKUMAR
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Bench testing of relief valves involve basically 3 tests:-

1. Pop test
2. Seat Leakage test
3. Back pressure/Bellow test

Pop Test

The valve is set on the test bench. With the discharge side open the valve
is pressurized to its cold-differential set pressure and made to pop. The
purpose of the pop test is to ensure proper operation of the valve in the
operational condition. The test pressure (CDTP/CDSP) is a pressure value
that is adjusted to accommodate variation in the spring rate with
temperature and the effect of backpressure.

Seat Leakage Test:-

The seat leakage test can be done with air, water, or steam. For detailed
guidelines of seat leakage test refer API 527 (Seat tightness of pressure
relief devices). In case of air testing, the valve is generally pressurized to
90% of its cold differential test pressure and is checked for leak. The valve
should be generally held for at least one minute (requires higher dwell
times for bigger valves with larger nozzles). The amount of
leakage/number of bubbles released per minute shall be counted from the
first bubble released. The test can be carried out in 2 ways either by
providing tubing from a flange provided on the valve outlet to a water
vessel or by filling the valve discharge side with water in such a way that
the water level covers the nozzle seat (should not be more than 12mm
above the nozzle seat). The tube diameter shall not be more than 10mm
and the tube shall not be immersed in water not more than half inch.

Backpressure/Bellow testing:-

Backpressure or bellow test is carried out to ensure that there are no loose
gasket joints allowing discharge side fluid to be released into the
environment or to ensure integrity of bellow (if present). The valve outlet
maybe connected to hydrocarbon line on the downstream side or to
another equipment any looseness in the joint will allow leakage of the
downstream fluid to the environment resulting in fire or harm to the
operating personnel. The valve shall be pressurized at the backpressure as
defined in the operational datasheet from the valve discharge and soap
solution shall be applied at the gasket joints, thread joint of the nozzle,
etc. In case of valves with bellows the bonnet vent shall be kept open
during backpressure test and a soap film shall be applied at the bonnet
vent to check the integrity of the bellow.

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