pneumatic test with co2

[jmt531]

Hello,

I'm in the process of preparing for a pneumatic test, with a test pressure of 175 psi. we will use an air compressor to get to 150psi (max output) and the remaining 25psi will be made up using co2 from a 50lb cylinder. I am having a hard time sourcing out a regulator assembly capable of handling the inlet pressure of the bottle ~2000psi and having and outlet pressure capable of 200psi. Is an o2 regulator compatable with co2 other than the connection to the cylinder itself? what kind of consideration should i put into the selelction of the fittings im going to use. I'm in the Canadian north and have limited resources for having these parts sent to me so i need to think of everything possible before i place an order. any other information i should consider (may be overlooking) would be greatly appreciated)

-jmt

 

[zdas04]

Why CO2? I've done similar tests many times with Nitrogen to make up the pressure above what the air-compressor can put out. For big jobs the service companies (e.g., Haliburton, BJ, or Schulmberger) all have trucks with on board heaters (the JT effects of going from liquid to fairly low pressures result in the gas out of the regulator being really cold) to give you gas at just about any pressure and temperature you want.

Using N2 bottles on a small job isn't a problem since medium pressure and high pressure regulators are pretty available and the amount of gas you're talking about is unlikely to significantly lower the temp of the test.

The market for CO2 accessories tends to be pretty low pressure (e.g. add fizz to beer and soft drinks) so I can understand why you're having trouble getting CO2 fittings and regulators.

If you do adapt an oxygen regulator to CO2 service, I would either lock the adapter's up or destroy them after the test. You really don't want those lying around (which is why you can't buy them).

David

 

[jmt531]

Long story short, co2 was originally the gas we would be using because of the original coordinators plans (also neglecting the fact that hoses and regulators are a neccessity, but I think you may be right about using N2, I will see if I can switch.

Thank you

 

[BigInch]

He's right.



**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/