GB2523377A

GB2523377A - Hydrostatic testing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2523377A
Application number: GB1403174.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gavin Drummond
Original assignee: CLOCKWORK ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: CLOCKWORK ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-24
Filing date: 2014-02-24
Publication date: 2015-08-26
Also published as: GB201403174D0

Abstract

A hydrostatic testing apparatus 10 comprises a chamber 12 having a lid member 14, for closing the chamber, and a platform 20 for receiving a vessel to be tested, wherein the platform is movable from a testing position in which the platform is within the chamber to a deployed (lid open) position in which the platform is at a height which is ergonomic for a user to handle the vessel. The apparatus includes pressurisation means for pressurising the vessel to be tested. This includes a circuit of pipe-work for pressurised water which is connectable to the vessel, a pump, pressure sensors and indicators and control means. All of the pressurisation means is provided within the chamber.

Description

Hydrostatic Testing Apparatus The present invention relates to apparatus for hydrostatic testing. In particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to apparatus for onsite hydrostatic testing offshore or onshore within the oil and gas industry.

Hydrostatic testing is used to test pressure vessels such as pipelines, gas cylinders, boilers and fuel tanks both for strength and integrity (the absence of leakage). The testing typically involves filling the vessel or pipe system with a liquid which may be dyed to aid in visual leak detection, and then pressurising the vessel to a specified test pressure. Water is commonly used because it is nearly incompressible. Integrity can be tested by closing the supply valve and observing whether there is a pressure loss. Strength is usually tested by measuring the permanent deformation of the container.

Small pressure vessels are normally tested using a water jacket test. The vessel is placed in a chamber or container filled with water, and the change in volume of the vessel can be measured by monitoring the water level in a calibrated tube which is in fluid communication with the water within the chamber. Any expansion of the chamber will force an amount of liquid into the measuring tube. The vessel is then depressurized, and the permanent volume increase due to plastic deformation while under pressure is measured by comparing the final volume in the measuring tube with the volume before pressurization.

The pressure vessel may be being tested onsite within a busy or cramped environment. It is typical for the area to be cordoned off using barrier tapes but there can be health and safety issues or disruption to normal operation. Also, as the device is unguarded, failure of the device being tested can represent a danger to the operator. At the least, handling and testing the vessel at ground level can cause discomfort to the operator and represents a trip hazard.

It is desirable to provide hydrostatic testing apparatus which improves safety for operators and other nearby personnel. It is desirable to provide apparatus which improves comfort for the operator during testing.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided hydrostatic testing apparatus comprising: a chamber having a lid member; and a platform for receiving a vessel to be tested, wherein the platform is movable from a testing position in which the platform is within the chamber to a deployed position in which the platform is at a height which is ergonomic for a user to handle the vessel.

At the deployed position, the platform is at an ideal height for allowing a user to comfortably place the vessel on the platform and carry out tasks such connecting pipework to the vessel. At the testing position, the vessel is at an ideal position to allow testing to take place.

The apparatus may be adapted such that opening of the lid member causes the platform to move from the testing position to the deployed position.

The apparatus may be adapted such that closing of the lid member causes the platform to move from the deployed position to the testing position.

Alternatively, the apparatus may include operable moving means for deploying or retracting the platform.

The platform may be mounted to a mechanical linkage arrangement. The linkage arrangement may be collapsible. A first piston may be coupled to the linkage arrangement and be operable to raise the platform.

The apparatus may include pressurisation means for pressurising the vessel to be tested.

The pressurisation means may include one or more of a circuit of pipework for carrying a fluid and which is connectable to the vessel, a pump, a compressor, pressure sensors and indicators, and control means for controlling the pressure within the vessel.

The pressurisation means may be provided within the chamber.

The apparatus may include a sensor for sensing a position of the lid member. The control means may be coupled to the sensor such that the pressurisation means may only be operated when the lid member is closed.

The chamber may be substantially circular or oval in cross section. The lid member may form an upper semi-circular portion of the chamber. A second piston may be coupled to the lid member and be operable to open the lid member.

The lid member may be pivotably attached to the chamber body by one or more hinges.

The apparatus may be adapted such that the lid member can pivot more than 90 degrees from the closed position. This allows easy top loading of the vessel on to the platform.

A locking member may be provided for maintaining the lid member at the closed position.

The locking member and the chamber may be configured to withstand internal pressures in excess of a maximum testing pressure used to test the vessel.

The or each hinge may be internal to the chamber when the lid member is closed.

It is to be noted that, in one embodiment, all of the pressurisation means, the linkage arrangement and all other mechanical components including hinges are internal to the chamber when the lid is closed. This substantially improves safety for the operator and nearby personnel.

An apparatus status indicator may be provided at an external surface of the chamber. An internal pressure indicator may be provided at an external surface of the chamber.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided hydrostatic testing apparatus comprising: a chamber defining an internal compartment for receiving a vessel to be tested; and pressurisation means for pressurising the vessel to be tested, the pressurisation means including one or more of a circuit of pipework for carrying a fluid and which is connectable to the vessel, a pump, a compressor, pressure sensors and indicators, and control means for controlling the pressure within the vessel, wherein the pressurisation means is provided within the chamber.

The apparatus may include a platform for receiving the vessel to be tested. The platform may be movable from a testing position in which the platform is within the chamber to a deployed position in which the platform is at a height which is ergonomic for a user to handle the vessel.

The platform may be mounted to a mechanical linkage arrangement. The linkage arrangement may be provided within the chamber.

The apparatus may include a lid member. The lid member may be pivotably attached to the chamber body by one or more hinges. The or each hinge may be internal to the chamber when the lid member is closed.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus; FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the lid closed; and FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the lid open.

Figures ito 3 show a hydrostatic testing apparatus 10 which comprises a chamber 12.

Pivotably attached to the chamber 12 is a lid 14 for closing the chamber 12. The chamber 12 is circular in cross section and the lid 14 forms an upper semi-circular portion of the chamber 12. The lid 14 is pivotably attached to the chamber body by a number of hinges.

The lid 14 can pivot more than 90 degrees from the closed position.

A platform 20 is provided within the chamber 12 for receiving a vessel (not shown) to be tested. As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the platform 20 is mounted to a mechanical linkage arrangement 30 which comprises two cross members that are pivotably connected at their centre. An end of one cross member 32 is pivotably connected to the platform 20. An end of the other cross member 34 is pivotably and slidably connected to a guide track 22 of the platform 20. The other end of one cross member 32 is pivotably connected to the chamber 12. The other end of the other cross member 34 is pivotably and slidably connected to a guide track 16 of the chamber 12.

A first piston 34 is connected to a lower end of each cross member. When the piston rod is fully extended, the ends of each cross member are at their greatest distance from each other. Consequently, each cross member is at its most horizontal orientation and so the platform 20 is at its lowest height and located within the internal volume of the chamber 12.

This is shown in Figure 2. This position of the platform may be termed the testing position.

At this position, the vessel is at an ideal position to allow testing to take place.

When the piston rod is fully retracted, the ends of each cross member are at their least distance from each other. Consequently, each cross member is at an oblique orientation and the platform 20 is at a greater height and has risen out of the chamber 12. This is shown in Figure 3. This position of the platform 20 may be termed the deployed position.

At this position, the vessel is at a height which is ergonomic for a user to handle the vessel.

Therefore, the platform 20 is movable from the testing position to the deployed position.

The apparatus 10 is configured so that opening of the lid 14 causes the platform 20 to move from the testing position to the deployed position. Similarly, closing of the lid 14 causes the platform 20 to move from the deployed position to the testing position. A second piston 18 is connected between the chamber 12 and lid 14 and is operable to open and close the lid 14.

The apparatus 10 includes various pressurisation means (not shown) for pressurising the vessel to be tested. This includes a circuit of pipework for pressurised water and which is connectable to the vessel, a pump, a compressor, pressure sensors and indicators, and control means for controlling the pressure within the vessel. All of the pressurisation means is provided within the chamber 12. Also, the hinges and all other mechanical components are internal to the chamber 12 when the lid 14 is closed.

The apparatus 10 includes a sensor for sensing a position of the lid 14. The pressurisation means can only be operated when the lid 14 is closed.

A locking member (not shown) maintains the lid 14 at the closed position. The locking member and the chamber are configured to withstand internal pressures in excess of a maximum testing pressure used to test the vessel. Therefore, there is minimum risk to the operator as testing can only take place when the lid is closed and locked.

An apparatus status indicator 40, an internal pressure indicator 42 and a power switch 44 are provided at an external surface of the chamber 12.

Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A hydrostatic testing apparatus comprising: a chamber having a lid member; and a platform for receiving a vessel to be tested, wherein the platform is movable from a testing position in which the platform is within the chamber to a deployed position in which the platform is at a height which is ergonomic for a user to handle the vessel.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that opening of the lid member causes the platform to move from the testing position to the deployed position.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus may be adapted such that closing of the lid member causes the platform to move from the deployed position to the testing position.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including operable moving means for deploying or retracting the platform.
5. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the platform is mounted to a mechanical linkage arrangement.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the linkage arrangement is collapsible.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein a first piston is coupled to the linkage arrangement and be operable to raise the platform.
8. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including pressurisation means for pressurising the vessel to be tested.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pressurisation means includes one or more of a circuit of pipework for carrying a fluid and which is connectable to the vessel, a pump, a compressor, pressure sensors and indicators, and control means for controlling the pressure within the vessel.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the pressurisation means is provided within the chamber.
11. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a sensor for sensing a position of the lid member, and wherein the control means is coupled to the sensor such that the pressurisation means may only be operated when the lid member is closed.
12. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is substantially circular or oval in cross section.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lid member forms an upper semi-circular portion of the chamber.
14. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lid member is pivotably attached to the chamber body by one or more hinges, and wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the lid member can pivot more than 90 degrees from the closed position.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the or each hinge is internal to the chamber when the lid member is closed.
16. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a locking member for maintaining the lid member at the closed position.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the locking member and the chamber are configured to withstand internal pressures in excess of a maximum testing pressure used to test the vessel.
18. A hydrostatic testing apparatus comprising: a chamber defining an internal compartment for receiving a vessel to be tested; and pressurisation means for pressurising the vessel to be tested, the pressurisation means including one or more of a circuit of pipework for carrying a fluid and which is connectable to the vessel, a pump, a compressor, pressure sensors and indicators, and control means for controlling the pressure within the vessel, wherein the pressurisation means is provided within the chamber.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, including a platform for receiving the vessel to be tested.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the platform is movable from a testing position in which the platform is within the chamber to a deployed position in which the platform is at a height which is ergonomic for a user to handle the vessel.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the platform is mounted to a mechanical linkage arrangement provided within the chamber.
22. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21, including a lid member which is pivotably attached to the chamber body by one or more hinges, the or each hinge being internal to the chamber when the lid member is closed.