Hydrostatic Testing

"Hydrostatic testing" is a diagnostic technique to check pressure vessels, pipes, and boilers for leaks or defects. The devise to be tested is filled with an incompressible liquid, usually water or oil. With the assistance of a positive displacement pump incorporating appropriate safety relief's and controls, the pressure of the test component is slowly increased to a predetermined set point and held for a predetermined time. Visual inspection is subsequently performed to determine if any leakage exists and if the pressure set point reduces.

We at Hennigan Engineering supply the appropriate Electric, Air or Diesel driven positive displacement pump system as well as experienced personnel to perform the testing. Normal testing utilizes a low volume, medium-pressure (20 psi to 2,000 psi), hydrostatic test pump designed to testing small water line or pressure systems. Larger capacity diesel driven pumps are also available to test large systems or vessels to pressures up to 60,000 psi. The test pump assemblies are complete with a an unloader valve or pressure regulator to regulate pressure, a high-pressure discharge valve to isolate the device being tested and a pressure gauge that is traceable to the National Bureau of Standards for certification of the test.