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Table of Contents
Inlet Piping ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Outlet Piping .................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

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SECTION 1

TESTING WHIT AIR

1. Scope and Applicability
This Procedure describes methods of determining the seat tightness of metal and soft seated pressure
relief valves, including those of spring loaded designs. All KIATORK of spring loaded safety relief valves
have to be tested on tightness. Test medium is gas (air or nitrogen)

2. Seat tightness test procedure

2.1. Definition
Seat tightness means tightness between seat and disc. A safety valve is deemed to be tight between seat
and disc, if all requirements of the relevant standard are performed. Number of bubbles/min for
determination of seat tightness can be used:

 Testing of seat tightness will be carried out at ambient temperature.

2.2. Requirements of KIATORK

Due to the fact that API 527 is the sole international approved standard which regulates tightness
requirements for safety valves in special, KIATORK in its function as global company refers to this
standard only.

2.3. Test Medium

The test medium shall be air (or nitrogen) near ambient temperature.

2.4. Test pressure

For a valve whose set pressure is greater than 50 pounds per square inch gauge (345 kilopascals
gauge), the leakage rate in bubbles per minute shall be determined with the test pressure at the valve
inlet held at 90 percent of the set pressure. For a valve set at 50 pounds per square inch gauge (345
kilopascals gauge) or less, the test pressure shall be held at 5 pounds per square inch (34.5 kilopascals)
less than the set pressure.(TABLE 1)
SET PRESSURE(Psig) TEST PRESSURE(Psig)

>50 0.9*Set Pressure

<=50 Set Pressure-5

TABLE 1

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2.5. Leakage Test
Before the leakage test, the set pressure shall be demonstrated, and all valve body joints and fittings
should be checked with a suitable solution to ensure that all joints are tight.
Before the bubble count, the test pressure shall be applied for at least 1 minute for a valve whose
nominal pipe size is 2 inches (50 millimeters) or smaller; 2 minutes for a valve whose nominal pipe size is
2/2, 3, or 4 inches (65, 80, or 100 millimeters); and 5 minutes for a valve whose nominal pipe size is 6
inches (150 millimeters) or larger. The valve shall then be observed for leakage for at least 1 minute.

2.6. Acceptance Criteria

For a valve with a metal seat, the leakage rate in bubbles per minute shall not exceed the appropriate
value in Table 1. For a soft-seated valve, there shall be no leakage for 1 minute (0 bubbles per minute).

2.7. Test Equipment

Testing of seat tightness with air, counting number of bubbles is practiced at assembler working place.
Following parts are components of the assembly work place:

 Clamp station (with adapter discs)

 Pressure system (air)
 Pressure gauge system
 Bubble counting instrument
Following features of bubble counting instrument, shown in fig. 1, correspond to API
527
 Inner tube diameter Ø = 6,12 mm
 Water head t =12,7 mm
 Bubble volume = 0,295 cm³

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 2.8.
Certification
Test results are reported standard and are proved by an inspection certificate.
Following information has to be included:
 Test subject
 Requirements of Standard
 Used procedures
 Reference terms / technical characteristics Test medium, test liquid, test device
 Test results
 Test method for each test result
 Relevant units, mbar l/s, for each test result.

Table 1—Maximum Seat Leakage Rates for Metal-Seated Pressure Relief Valves
Effective Orifice Sizes Effective Orifice Sizes
Set Pressure 0.307 Inch and Smaller Larger Than 0.307 Inch

at 60°F(15.6°C) Approximate Leakage Approximate Leakage

Pounds per per 24 Hours per 24 Hours
Leakage Rate Leakage Rate
Square Inch Mega- (bubbles Standard Standard (bubbles Standard Standard
Gauge Pascal’s per minute) Cubic Feet Cubic Meters per minute) Cubic Feet Cubic Meters
15-1000 0.103-6.896 40 0.60 0.017 20 0.30 0.0085
1500 10.3 60 0.90 0.026 30 0.45 0.013
2000 13.0 80 1.20 0.034 40 0.60 0.017
2500 17.2 100 1.50 0.043 50 0.75 0.021
3000 20.7 100 1.50 0.043 60 0.90 0.026
4000 27.6 100 1.50 0.043 80 1.20 0.034
5000 38.5 100 1.50 0.043 100 1.50 0.043
6000 41.4 100 1.50 0.043 100 1.50 0.043

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SECTION 2

TESTING WHIT WATER

1. Scope and Applicability
This Procedure describes methods of determining the seat tightness of metal and soft seated pressure
relief valves, including those of spring loaded designs. All KIATORK of spring loaded safety relief valves
have to be tested on tightness. Test medium is liquid (water)

2. Seat Tightness Test Procedure

2.1. Definition
Seat tightness means tightness between seat and disc. A safety valve is deemed to be tight between seat
and disc, if all requirements of the relevant standard are performed. Number of bubbles/min for
determination of seat tightness can be used:

 Testing of seat tightness will be carried out at ambient temperature.

2.2. Requirements of KIATORK

Due to the fact that API 527 is the sole international approved standard which regulates tightness
requirements for safety valves in special, KIATORK in its function as global company refers to this
standard only.
2.3. Test Medium
The test medium shall be water near ambient temperature.

2.4. Test Configuration

The valve shall be vertically mounted on the water test stand.

2.5. Test Pressure

For a valve whose set pressure is greater than 50 pounds per square inch gauge (345 kilopascals
gauge), the seat tightness shall be determined with the test pressure at the valve inlet held at 90
percent of the set pressure. For a valve set at 50 pounds per square inch gauge (345 kilopascals gauge)
or less, the test pressure shall be held at 5 pounds per square inch (34.5 kilopascals) less than the set
pressure.(TABLE 2)

SET PRESSURE(Psig) TEST PRESSURE(Psig)

>50 0.9*Set Pressure

<=50 Set Pressure-5

TABLE 2

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2.6. Leakage Test
Before starting the seat tightness test, the set pressure shall be demonstrated, and the outlet body
bowl shall be filled with water, which shall be allowed to stabilize with no visible flow from the valve
outlet. The inlet pressure shall then be increased to the test pressure. The valve shall then be ob-
served for 1 minute at the test pressure.

2.7. Acceptance Criteria

For a metal-seated valve whose inlet has a nominal pipe size of 1 inch or larger, the leakage rate shall
not exceed 10 cubic centimeters per hour per inch of nominal inlet size. For a metal-seated valve
whose inlet has a nominal pipe size of less than 1 inch, the leakage rate shall not exceed 10 cubic
centimeters per hour. For soft-seated valves, there shall be no leakage for 1 minute.

2.8. Certification
Test results are reported standard and are proved by an inspection certificate according to of DIN EN
10204.3.1.
Following information has to be included:
 Test subject
 Requirements of Standard
 Used procedures
 Reference terms / technical characteristics Test medium, test liquid, test device
 Test results
 Test method for each test result
 Relevant units, m/bar /s, for each test result.

129/9 Sk. No:9 4. Sanayi sitesi Bornova/IZMIR

Gsm:0533 648 12 25 E-Mail: info@kiatork.com

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