Hydrostatic testing is the most common method employed for testing valves using a test fluid, to observe whether there is a pressure loss in the valve. Water mixed with corrosion inhibitor is commonly used because it is easily available and harmless to the system to be tested but it is able to release a small amount of leak if the valve fails.
LANTEK Testing department counts on 6 test benches suitable for both hydrostatic and gas testing for valves from ½” to 56” and pressure classes from ANSI 150 to API 15000, from 0 to 1600 bar, for a maximum weight of 1800 Tons.
Low pressure gas seat testing is usually performed with air or inert gas and it might be used to detect leaks not observed with standard hydrostatic testing. Cryogenic and low temperature valves are often pneumatically tested as hydrostatic testing is not recommended for such applications.
Leak rates as per ISO 5208 ：
Soft seat: RATE A
Metal seat or PMSS: RATE B, C, D

High pressure gas testing is generally performed after hydrostatic testing, exception for cryogenic and low temperature applications, in those cases gas testing should be done before. High pressure gas testing has potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions are taken during gas testing performance: testing area has a suitable bunker type protection, equipped with control panels and cameras to allow the operator to perform the test in safety conditions. All operators are experienced and trained to conduct all tests in accordance to the most important International Standards in line with project requirements. Pure Nitrogen, or a mixture with Helium, is commonly used to release a big amount of leak in case of valve failure. LANTEK Testing area includes 6 test benches suitable for both hydrostatic and gas testing for valves from ½” to 56” and pressure classes from ANSI 150 to API 15000, from 0 to 1600 bar, for a maximum weight of 1800 Tons. Testing of valves for transport and storage of gases is highly recommended to verify the good performance of a valve under pressure. Cryogenic and low temperature valves performance can be tested by a suitable gas testing (Helium, Nitrogen or Helium mixture) at service temperature down to -196°C (-320,8°F) : LANTEK Testing area includes suitable tanks for valves up to 40” and Nitrogen reservoir to perform cryogenic testing at any time.
Leak rates as per BS6364 or according to specific project requirements

High temperature valves performance can be tested at elevated temperatures up to 660°C (1220°F) to simulate operating conditions and prove that selected material and construction are suitable for that critical application. All operators are experienced and trained to conduct this test with appropriate safety precautions.

Fugitive emissions are emissions released through leaks, spills, and evaporation with potential immediate hazard to human health and safety. LANTEK can identify such emissions by using a leak detector (Sniffer <1x10E-7 mbal l/s) once the valve and its cavity are completely filled with test fluid (Helium).
• Production test at ambient temperature in accordance to ISO 15848-2 or Shell SPE 77/312
• Type test approval in accordance with ISO 15848-1 or Shell 77/300

Antistatic testing can be performed to verify the electrical resistance between the valve body and the ball and between the valve body and the stem, measured using direct current power source not exceeding 12V. LANTEK valve meet the AtEx 94/9/EC directive for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Torque testing should be performed to verify the thrust required to open, move or close the valve operator at the pressure specified by the Customer in line with project requirements (maximum pressure differential): emergency valves or valves installed in key positions should not exceed a specific torque to allow the operator to open or close the system in safety conditions.

Cavity relief testing can be performed to detect liquids or other fluids with thermal capacity trapped in the body cavity. Cavity relief testing is recommended where the medium is subject to heating or big differences of temperature between day and night with potential generation of overpressure in the body cavity with potential hazard for the whole system.

A Double Block & Bleed valve is a valve with two seating surfaces which provides simultaneous sealing in both directions in the closed position, with a means of bleeding the cavity between the seating surfaces. The pressure test is performed simultaneously from both valve ends while the valve and its cavity are completely filled with test fluid: fluid detection are monitored by overflow through the bleed.

A Double Isolation & Bleed (Double Piston Effect seat) valve is a valve with two seating surfaces each of which provide sealing in both directions in the closed position, with a means of a cavity vent or relief valve between the seating surfaces: seats are designed to seal with pressure from body cavity. Pressure test is performed without the relief valve which should be removed if fitted, the valve and its cavity are completely filled with test fluid:
DIB-1 (both seats bi-directional) the test pressure shall apply successfully to each valve, each seat should be tested separately from the upstream side;
DIB-2 (one seat uni-directional, one seat bi-directional) the test pressure shall apply successfully to each valve end, each seat should be tested separately from the upstream side first, and then test the bi-directional seat with simultaneous pressure to the valve cavity and the upstream end.
Fluid detection shall be monitored by overflow through the cavity pressure relief connection.

LANTEK Testing area includes an hyperbaric test chamber suitable to simulate underwater pressure conditions down to 1000 m water depth; hyperbaric testing is recommended where the valve is required for subsea applications. Testing performed according to API 6DSS.

It is almost impossible to produce a total vacuum: the closer we get to a full vacuum the harder it gets to encourage the remaining molecules to leave, all we have is a partial vacuum (somewhere between 0 inches Hg and 29.92 inches Hg), which creates a differential pressure between the partial vacuum inside the valve and the atmospheric pressure pressing against the exterior of the valve, and this allows to detect and observe potential leakages in the system, if any. LANTEK has a dedicated area and vacuum pumps to perform Vacuum testing, a specific leak testing that simulates operative conditions as described above, internal pressure variation is then detected according to customer specific requirements or according to the applicable standard (i.e. ASME V art. 10).