Safety Valve Leakproofness Testing via Segmented Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for checking the leakproofness of gas valves in gas lines are time-consuming, especially in large industrial plants, due to the need to apply and release pressure across valve sections, which prolongs the testing period.
Innovation Solution
The method employs two pressure switches with triggering thresholds set symmetrically around half the inlet pressure, allowing for quicker detection of pressure changes and reducing measurement time by alternating the sequence of valve openings and closures based on initial pressure readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pressure testing methods are used to check leakproofness of gas valves, then reliability of detection is maintained, but testing time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The test volume is divided into two separate test volumes by introducing an intermediate valve. The first test volume is bounded by the inlet valve and intermediate valve, while the second test volume is bounded by the intermediate valve and outlet valve. This segmentation allows independent testing of each valve section, enabling parallel processing and significantly reducing total testing time while maintaining detection reliability through systematic pressure monitoring in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate valve is pre-positioned in the open state during normal operation, allowing gas flow between inlet and outlet. Before leakproofness testing begins, the intermediate valve is closed to isolate the test volumes. This preliminary configuration enables rapid transition to testing mode without requiring complete system shutdown or complex reconfiguration, thus reducing testing time while ensuring reliable isolation of test sections.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied across the entire valve section for testing, then comprehensive leak detection is achieved, but the time required to apply and release pressure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into two separate test volumes using the intermediate valve, the patent enables independent pressure testing of each valve section. The first pressure switch monitors the first test volume while the second pressure switch monitors the second test volume simultaneously. This segmentation allows comprehensive leak detection across both sections without requiring sequential testing, thereby reducing the overall pressure application duration while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two pressure monitoring operations into a single integrated testing sequence. Both pressure switches operate simultaneously during the same time period, monitoring their respective test volumes. This merging of parallel monitoring functions into one coordinated process achieves comprehensive leak detection for both valve sections without requiring separate testing cycles, thus reducing total testing time while maintaining detection comprehensiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly shortens the leakproofness testing time while maintaining reliability, enabling earlier detection of pressure deviations and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
two pressure switches which are both in an operative connection with the test volume for the pressure monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
Method for checking the leakproffness of safety valves. Method for testing the leadkproofness of two controllable valves (V1, V2), wherein the vales are arranged at opposite ends of a test volume (10). An inlet pressure pe is present upstream of the test volume, in front of valve V1, and an outlet pressure pa is present downstream of the test volume, behind the valve V2. A control device controls the valves to open and close, and the control device is coupled to at least two pressure switches (26, 27) which are both operatively connected to the test volume (10) in order to monitor the pressure. The first pressure switch is set to a first triggering threshold d1, wherein d1=pe/x, where x>3. The second pressure switch is set to a second triggering threshold d2, wherein d2=pe(1−1/x). A valve is controlled in order to open the valve for a period of time tL1 and then to close said valve. The process then waits for a measurement period tM1 and a first pressure switch is checked. The second valve is then opened and closed again and the second pressure switch is checked. The functionality of the valves is indicated if the method has not been aborted owing to a pressure switch being triggered.