Thermowell pressure testing

[skipper1126]

We manufacture/ resell thermometers, pressure gauges and associated fittings and components. My company has a requirement to test thermowells we resell. The customer has referenced ASME Section VIII, Div 1, Para UG-101.
I am new to the industry and would like to know where I can get information on performing these tests. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance

 

[hacksaw]

you are referring to a pressure vessel standard. it does not cover thermwells, but it does refer you to the requirements for vessel pressure test. suspect that the specifying engineer is taking the easy way out and telling you to sort out what the max pressure is supposed to be.

typically the weakest part of a thermowell is not the well itself, but the connection. there are thermowell standards of a sort: ASME B40 and various connection standards that you also must comply with. None specifically deal with pressure testing in a specific way.


Where you typically run into problems is when the vessel is being pressure tested above the thermowell rating. This is a result of the vessel designer and the instrument specifier using or referring to separate standards i.e. the instrument standard typically does not refer to the hydro test requirements for the vessel and adjacent piping, and vice versa. the specifier put the question to you. so call him...he'll pass you along to the vessel designer or refer to the name plate on the vessel. that is where the confusion starts, some times they use the wrong connection rating for the instrument.

join the club...

 

[deanc]

What hacksaw refers to may indeed be the case. It happens.

However they may be asking for a "proof test" to determine max. pressure. That is what UG-101 is. True it is really not for thermowells,but it is an accepted standard and may work in this case.

Try

http://www.asme.org/codes