| Leak checking for valves
-New Application for clamp on portable ultrasonic flowmeters
Author : Lee John Hughes 13.2.2004
Service Technician – EESIFLO Limited
Problem: The picture you see is a part of a crude oil sampling
skid manufactured in Singapore by Welker Engineering Pte Ltd.
This skid was about to be shipped to a large oil and gas facility
in Brunei. It consisted of an isokinetic sampling system,
inline densitometers, pressure gauges, valves , manifolds
and controls.
During the initial Factory Acceptance Test , it was necessary
to prove beyond doubt that the skid pumps (although tested
in the pump manufacturer’s facility ) were up to specifications.
It was also necessary to test that the workshop’s primary
isolation valve was holding (otherwise all tests would be
invalid) Thirdly it was important to check the integrity of
the stainless steel double block and bleed manifolds)
Welker Engineering called upon the services of EESIFLO (
a clamp on flow meter specialist company) to conduct in house
testing of the skid.
This kind of testing has been simplified by the use of portable
ultrasonic clamp on flowmeters with high frequency sensors
for small pipes. The tests were conducted using the EESIFLO
6000 digital ultrasonic flowmeter with 8 MHz sensors. These
sensors were small enough to fit on smaller pipes which ranged
from ½ inch to 3 inches. Three tests were conducted
Valve leak checks (checking zero flow rates with valves closed)
Minimum and Maximum flow rates. Valves were throttled and
then fully opened
Flow Direction (EESIFLO 6000 could measure bi-directional
flow)
In this test, it was found that the primary isolation valve
in the owner’s workshop was leaking due to the detection
of flow rates when the ball valve was fully closed. This information
enabled the technicians to remedy this problem so that other
tests conducted (even pressure tests) were valid and not nullified
. The densitometers were also tested under flow conditions-
it is necessary for the inline densitometers to work at certain
flow rates according to the factory specifications. This portable
flowmeter proved to be an enormous time saver and maintenance
tool. All pumps , valves and fittings could be verified within
an hour. Installation of the clamp on transducers and entering
of the pipe and liquid parameters were conducted within minutes.
Several years ago, these kinds of tests were not possible
due to inferior analog circuitry, slow processing devices
or cumbersome installations of sensors . Now it is possible
to check valve integrity (with limitations of course) and
pump performance in smaller pipes with different kinds of
process liquids. EESIFLO also conducts fuel efficiency tests
on site for engines and pumps, diagnostics for hydraulic systems
and many more applications
For more information on this device or special technical
services, please contact an EESIFLO service engineer or representative
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