Pressure Testing Refrigeration

Plant on Ships
Precautions while Pressure Testing Refrigeration Plant

Before charging the plant with refrigerant, it must be pressure

tested and pumped down. This article explains precautions and procedure
to be carried out by a marine engineer for the pressure testing of refrigeration
plant on ships.
Pressure test the plant with one of the following means:
Dry air pressurized cylinders containing dry atmospheric air may be
used, but never use oxygen cylinders.
Air compressor for high pressure.
Nitrogen.
1. The plant compressors must not be used to pressurize the plant.
Water or other fluids must not be used for pressure testing refrigeration
plant.
2. If nitrogen is used, it is important to place a reducing valve with a
pressure gauge between the nitrogen cylinder and the plant.
3. During pressure testing of the refrigeration plant, it is important to
ensure that pressure transducers and other control equipment are not
exposed to the testing pressure. The compressor stop valves must also be
closed during pressure testing.
4. Plant safety valves must normally be blanked-off during pressure
testing, as their opening pressure is lower than the testing pressure.
5. During this pressure testing, no person should be allowed to be
present in rooms housing plant parts or in the vicinity of the plant outside
the rooms.
6. The entire unit must be pressure tested in accordance with
the local regulations for pressure testing refrigeration plant.
7. The test pressure must never exceed the design pressure of the
refrigeration plant.
8. If it is required that the compressor should be pressure tested together
with the unit or with the plant, the testing pressure must not exceed the
value prescribed in the instruction manual of the refrigeration plant.
9. Please observe that manometers, pressure controls, pressure
transmitters and other control equipment are not exposed to testing
pressure.
10. After doing pressure testing of refrigeration plant, reduce the pressure
to say 10 bar for a period of 24 hours, for an initial leak test as a
tightly sealed plant will maintain this pressure throughout the period.
11. During the leak test, it is permitted to enter the room and approach the
plant.
12. By way of a second leak test, examine all welds, flange joints etc.
for leakage by applying soapy water, while maintaining the 10 bar
pressure.
13. When pressure testing, compile a pressure test report containing
the following:
Date of pressure testing,
Person carrying out the test,
Comments.