Hydro Testing
Hydro Testing
Hi All,
I'm in the midst of hydroing the dry pipe and aux pipe for the shay. Im having some issues getting everything absolutely leak proof so I don't loose 30+psi per drop. What would be the recommended tape/dope for the thread fittings. Also what would work best in steam service?
-jlakes85
I'm in the midst of hydroing the dry pipe and aux pipe for the shay. Im having some issues getting everything absolutely leak proof so I don't loose 30+psi per drop. What would be the recommended tape/dope for the thread fittings. Also what would work best in steam service?
-jlakes85
Re: Hydro Testing
Not sure about the live steam world, but my plumber prefers the liquid brush-on dope to the tape.
Steve
Steve
Re: Hydro Testing
PTFE Pipe dope available at Lowes, HD or ACE
JB
JB
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10592
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
Re: Hydro Testing
Here is a never-ending discussion...tape or dope or Loctite thread sealant.
Plumbers (in general) tend to go with what is quick and easy and generally don't have to deal with steam. They DO have to work with propane and natural gas where the paint on dope is pretty much required (gasoila?)
In most cases the biggest difference is in how the stuff is applied (carefully) and in some cases how well the threads are cut.
be careful with everything so that you don't get the 'sealant' down inside the pipe and gunked up into all sorts of places you don't want it once the threads are made up. Our little needle valves, INJECTORS, etc: often do not react well to this stuff inside the lines where only water is expected.
I cannot say that I have ever had a totally water-tight (no leak) cold hydro..it goes with the territory.
I can say that most of the steamers I have ever seen / worked on / built, tended to leak a little here and there until they were good and hot and ready to stop leaking on their own good time.
Plumbers (in general) tend to go with what is quick and easy and generally don't have to deal with steam. They DO have to work with propane and natural gas where the paint on dope is pretty much required (gasoila?)
In most cases the biggest difference is in how the stuff is applied (carefully) and in some cases how well the threads are cut.
be careful with everything so that you don't get the 'sealant' down inside the pipe and gunked up into all sorts of places you don't want it once the threads are made up. Our little needle valves, INJECTORS, etc: often do not react well to this stuff inside the lines where only water is expected.
I cannot say that I have ever had a totally water-tight (no leak) cold hydro..it goes with the territory.
I can say that most of the steamers I have ever seen / worked on / built, tended to leak a little here and there until they were good and hot and ready to stop leaking on their own good time.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Re: Hydro Testing
Hi Bill,
Sounds good. I guess I might have to lean on the pump handle a bit for the full 15 min to keep the Needle on 400 psi
Sounds good. I guess I might have to lean on the pump handle a bit for the full 15 min to keep the Needle on 400 psi
-
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:50 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA
Re: Hydro Testing
Why are you testing to 400 PSI? Are you going to run at 200 PSI?
Re: Hydro Testing
Hi Marty,
Design pressure is 125 psi.
Design pressure is 125 psi.
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10592
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
Re: Hydro Testing
ok...so again the question...why 400 psi.>>>?????
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
-
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:50 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA
Re: Hydro Testing
We make the initial at twice working pressure, retests at 1 1/2 working pressure. There is no advantage to exceeding this. In fact, there are some inspectors who will condemn a boiler that sees more than twice working pressure.
Re: Hydro Testing
Washington State Boiler Code declares that a hydro pressure test more than 200% of Maximum Allowed Working Pressure results in a damaged pressure vessel.
This causes the State to downgrade the MAWP.
Know your local Code.
~RN
This causes the State to downgrade the MAWP.
Know your local Code.
~RN
Re: Hydro Testing
Hi All,
Excellent information as always. I'm glad I was just testing only the dry pipe and aux pipe to start. These are comprised of 3/8 class 3000 fittings and sch 80 threaded pipe.
Excellent information as always. I'm glad I was just testing only the dry pipe and aux pipe to start. These are comprised of 3/8 class 3000 fittings and sch 80 threaded pipe.
Re: Hydro Testing
I have been very happy with LocTite 567 High Temperature Thread Sealant with PTFE. I have not used thread tape in a very long time.
Live Steam Photography and more - gallery.mikemassee.com
Product Development and E-Commerce, Allen Models of Nevada
Product Development and E-Commerce, Allen Models of Nevada