Owners and operators of liquid storage tanks are responsible for arranging regular professional inspection services. All commercial and industrial water and chemical storage tanks must undergo comprehensive examinations in accordance with industry standards, ensuring that safety and integrity are maintained throughout their lifespans.
What is Hydrotesting/Hydrostatic Testing
Following the construction of a newly built storage tank, one of the final mechanical evaluations recommended is a hydrostatic test. This testing method is utilized to assess integrity and detect leaks in pressure vessels like pipelines, plumbing systems, gas cylinders, boilers, and fuel tanks.
The process entails filling the vessel or pipe system with a liquid, typically water, which may be dyed to aid in visual leak detection, and pressurizing the vessel to the specified test pressure.
Pressure integrity is evaluated by shutting the supply valve and monitoring for any pressure loss. The presence of dye in the water assists in visually pinpointing the location of any leaks. Additionally, the container’s strength is assessed by measuring any permanent deformation.
The hydrostatic test procedure is conducted to detect leaks in shell weld joints and observe the stabilization of the liquid level at various heights. Throughout the test, all instrumentation is removed to prevent damage to the instruments.
Importance of Hydrotesting in Water Tanks
The construction of new tanks and substantial modifications to existing storage tanks involve several testing prerequisites aimed at ensuring the equipment’s integrity. Hydrostatic testing, as its name implies, involves testing a tank by filling it with water.
The primary and most obvious purpose of filling the tank with water is to detect any leaks. The tank is filled with water at a recommended rate and then inspected after a 24-hour period to ensure there are no cracks, pinholes, or other irregularities in the welds.
Another purpose of the test is to evaluate the mechanical strength of the tank. Weak spots become apparent when the tank is filled with water, which poses significantly less risk to workers and the environment compared to when the tank contains toxic chemicals.
The most crucial observation made during a hydrostatic test is the strength of the tank’s supporting foundation. The foundation significantly contributes to tank damage.
Furthermore, the hydrostatic test serves as a stability assessment, allowing the client and builder to assess and confirm that the tank base settlement falls within an acceptable range. This is accomplished using a test medium such as water, which typically has a higher specific gravity than the cargo the tank is designed to hold.
How to Know if My Tank Needs Testing?
Hydro-testing for paintball tanks is crucial, with requirements varying depending on the manufacturer. Typically, high-pressure air tanks used in paintball need to undergo hydro-testing every three to five years.
The tank’s manufacturing date is usually indicated on the label, and it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure timely re-hydro-testing once the tank’s validity period expires. During hydro-testing, the tank is pressurized to a level significantly higher than its rated capacity.
If the tank successfully passes the pressure test without any issues, its validity is extended for another three to five years. However, if the tank fails the test, replacement becomes necessary.
CO2 and SCBA cylinders typically require hydro-testing every five years, although newer models may have longer intervals, often every ten years. The cost for CO2 tank hydro-testing is typically around $20.
Wrapping Up
Understanding the importance of hydro-testing your water tank is just as crucial as maintaining it. Despite not always being top of mind, regular use of your tank can lead to typical wear and tear, potentially resulting in leaks or bursts as pressure accumulates over time.
For top-quality water tanks in the US, consider Panel Tanks by American Tanks! With over 20 years of experience in water tank quality testing, we manufacture products adhering to the strictest quality control standards.
In addition to our exceptional water tank quality testing services, we offer a range of industrial water tank maintenance solutions, including concrete water tank inspection, general water tank maintenance, and more. At Panel Tanks by American Tanks, we are committed to inspecting and hydro-testing your water tanks to prevent future failures.
Call Panel Tanks by American Tanks at +1 800 656 0167
Or email at info@americanpaneltanks.com
