Pumps specialist Australian Pump Industries announced in May that it offers a simple guide for the use of hydrostatic testers, which is available free of charge.

Locating leaks and proof-testing oil and gas pipelines is made easier with portable hydrostatic testers, says the company.

Australian Pump Industries make a range of hydrostatic test units with flows to 150 ℓ a minute and pressures up to 7 300 psi.

Oil and gas pipelines must be structurally sound and able to withstand maximum operating pressure. Testing is done by filling the pipes with water and pumping the pressure up higher than the maximum allowable operating level. The pressure is then held for up to 8 hours to establish the pipe’s integrity.

In a major breakthrough, Australian Pump is currently developing units to test to 10 000 psi.

For high-pressure applications, as required for gas pipelines, the heart of the system is a Bertolini pump. These heavy-duty triplex pumps are slow speed and designed for continuous running applications.

The hydrostatic testers are fitted with an adjustable regulator that enables the operator to set the required pressure.

They are also equipped with a double lock off valve system and two pressure gauges. This enables the operator to isolate the pump from the job and check the line pressure is maintained.

The units are trolley mounted for ease of movement on site. The standard range uses top quality industrial diesel engines. The range also includes petrol, hydraulic, electric and flameproof electric drive units.

Machines with pressures of up to 580 psi are commonly used for testing water supply lines and similar, relatively low pressure systems. Australian Pump uses rigged diaphragm-styled, positive displacement pumps to provide pressure and flow for these applications.

Hydrostatic testing is also very effective in proof-testing pumps, valves, pressure vessels and other liquid system products. For example, the use of hydrostatic testers is widely employed by Australian Pump for testing pump bodies for leaks after assembly.

“Our hydrostatic testers are now working in the Middle East, Indonesia and right throughout Australia’s water, oil and gas industries,” says Australian Pump product manager Brad Farrugia.

“The units are simple to set up and easy to use. Regular testing can detect dangerous leaks that are both costly and can lead to environmental contamination,” he adds.