Portable self-contained pressure testing manifold and associated methods
A portable, case-enclosed pressure test manifold, configured to support both pneumatic and hydrostatic pressure testing, and comprising a downstream fluid path (e.g., a system test gauge, a ball valve, a system test port, a system relief valve, and other components/piping) and an upstream fluid path (e.g., a low-pressure gauge, a high-pressure gauge, and various other components/piping). A regulator and/or the ball valve selectively operate the downstream fluid path, defining a hydrostatic pressure testing path, to receive a liquid; and the upstream fluid path in combination with the downstream fluid path, defining a pneumatic pressure testing path, to receive a gas. Manifold components are pressure rated based on use and are ASME Code B 31.3 compliant. Properly rated flexible hoses connect with either of the pneumatic or the hydrostatic pressure testing paths of the manifold. The case includes parking receptables and a carrying handle configured to stow the hose during transport.
1 . A pressure test assembly comprising:
a manifold comprising:
a pneumatic pressure testing path comprising a plurality of piping components configured to join, in gaseous fluid communication,
a regulator having a high-pressure gauge, a low-pressure gauge, and a source gas inlet configured to receive an input gas,
a system test gauge,
a vent valve,
a system test port,
a system relief valve, and
a ball valve positioned along the pneumatic pressure testing path separating the regulator from the system test gauge, the vent valve, the system test port, and the system relief valve;
a hydrostatic pressure testing path comprising a subset of the plurality of piping components configured to join, in liquid fluid communication,
a spare port,
the system test gauge,
the vent valve,
the system test port,
the system relief valve, and
the ball valve configured in a closed state.
2 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the low-pressure gauge is characterized by a low-pressure range of 0-600 psi and the high-pressure gauge is characterized by a high-pressure range of 0-4000 psi.
3 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the system relief valve in the pneumatic pressure testing path is pressure rated between 50 and 500 psig.
4 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a flexible hose configured to join in gaseous fluid communication with the source gas inlet of the regulator.
5 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 4 , further comprising a case configured to carry the manifold.
6 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the case further comprises at least one carrying handle configured to mechanically secure a substantially medial section of the flexible hose.
7 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the system relief valve in the hydrostatic pressure testing path is of a cartridge-type.
8 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the regulator is characterized by a regulated pressure range of 0-500 psi.
9 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the system test port comprises a connection fitting of a fitting type selected from the group consisting of CGA-580, CGA-590, and CGA-326.
10 . The pressure test assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of piping components are ASME Code B31.3 compliant.
11 . A method of operating a pressure testing assembly to perform a hydrostatic pressure test on a test subject, the pressure testing assembly comprising:
a manifold comprising:
a pneumatic pressure testing path comprising a plurality of piping components configured to join, in gaseous fluid communication,
a regulator having a high-pressure gauge, a low-pressure gauge, and a source gas inlet,
a system test gauge,
a vent valve,
a system test port,
a system relief valve, and
a ball valve positioned along the pneumatic pressure testing path separating the regulator from the system test gauge, the vent valve, the system test port, and the system relief valve;
a hydrostatic pressure testing path comprising a subset of the plurality of piping components configured to join, in liquid fluid communication,
a spare port,
the system test gauge,
the vent valve,
the system test port,
the system relief valve, and
the ball valve;
the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, using a cartridge valve coupling, the system relief valve pressure rated between 50 and 500 psig;
closing the ball valve;
connecting in liquid fluid communication the system test port to the test subject;
receiving, using the spare port, an input liquid;
measuring, using the system test gauge, a cumulative pressure of the input fluid until
upon leak detection at the cumulative pressure, reducing the cumulative pressure by a percentage of the cumulative pressure, and
upon the cumulative pressure equaling a test pressure, holding the test pressure for a time step.
12 . The method according to claim 11 further comprising mechanically stabilizing a case configured to mechanically carry the manifold upon a horizontal surface.
13 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of piping components further comprise ASME Code B31.3 compliant components.
14 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the system test gauge is rated at 0-600 psi both for gas pressure measurement and for liquid pressure measurement.
15 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the percentage of the cumulative pressure is 50%.
16 . A method of operating a pressure testing assembly to perform a pneumatic pressure test on a test subject, the pressure testing assembly comprising:
a manifold comprising:
a pneumatic pressure testing path comprising a plurality of piping components configured to join, in gaseous fluid communication,
a regulator having a high-pressure gauge, a low-pressure gauge, and a source gas inlet,
a system test gauge,
a vent valve,
a system test port,
a system relief valve, and
a ball valve positioned along the pneumatic pressure testing path separating the regulator from the system test gauge, the vent valve, the system test port, and the system relief valve;
a hydrostatic pressure testing path comprising a subset of the plurality of piping components configured to join, in liquid fluid communication,
a spare port,
the system test gauge,
the vent valve,
the system test port,
the system relief valve, and
the ball valve;
the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, using a cartridge valve coupling, the system relief valve;
closing the ball valve;
connecting in gaseous fluid communication the system test port to the test subject;
receiving, using the source gas inlet of the regulator, an input gas;
iteratively increasing, by a step pressure, a cumulative pressure of the input gas at the system test gauge until
upon leak detection at the cumulative pressure using the system test gauge, reducing the cumulative pressure by a percentage of the cumulative pressure, and
upon the cumulative pressure equaling a test pressure, holding the test pressure for a time step.
17 . The method according to claim 16 further comprising mechanically stabilizing a case configured to mechanically carry the manifold upon a horizontal surface.
18 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the pressure testing assembly further comprises a flexible hose; the method further comprising conveying, using the flexible hose, the input gas to the source gas inlet of the regulator.
19 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the step pressure is 100 psig.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the percentage of the cumulative pressure is 50%.