ASTM E1066-95(2000)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Ammonia Colorimetric Leak Testing
Standard Test Method for Ammonia Colorimetric Leak Testing
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the testing of large single- and double-walled tanks, pressure and vacuum vessels, laminated, lined- or double-walled parts, complex piping systems, flexible containers (such as aircraft fuel tanks), glass-to-metal seals in hybrid packages, and systems that inherently contain or will contain ammonia (such as large tonnage refrigeration systems and fertilizer storage systems).
1.2 This method can be used on piping, valves and con- tainers with welded, fitted, or laminated sections that can be sealed at their ends or between their outer and inner walls and that are designed for internal pressures of 34.5 kPa (5 psig) or greater.
1.3 Basic procedures are described based on the type of inspection used. These procedures should be limited to find- ing leakage indications of 4.5 X 10 12 mol/s (1 X 10 Std cm /s) or larger.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (For more specific safety precautionary information see 7.4, 8.2, 9.4.1, and 10.3.1).
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:E1066–95 (Reapproved 2000)
Standard Test Method for
Ammonia Colorimetric Leak Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1066; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope ANSI/ASNTCP-189 ASNTStandard for Qualification and
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
1.1 This test method covers the testing of large single- and
double-walled tanks, pressure and vacuum vessels, laminated,
3. Terminology
lined-ordouble-walledparts,complexpipingsystems,flexible
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this stan-
containers (such as aircraft fuel tanks), glass-to-metal seals in
dard, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
hybrid packages, and systems that inherently contain or will
contain ammonia (such as large tonnage refrigeration systems
4. Summary of Test Method
and fertilizer storage systems).
4.1 This test method consists of testing a container already
1.2 This method can be used on piping, valves and contain-
filled with ammonia or of introducing an anhydrous ammonia
erswithwelded,fitted,orlaminatedsectionsthatcanbesealed
or an ammonia-nitrogen mixture into a container or system so
attheirendsorbetweentheirouterandinnerwallsandthatare
that the final ammonia percentage achieved is between 1 and
designed for internal pressures of 34.5 kPa (5 psig) or greater.
100% by volume at a gage pressure between 34.5 and 689.5
1.3 Basic procedures are described based on the type of
kPa (5 and 100 psig). The ammonia flows through leaks
inspection used.These procedures should be limited to finding
−12 −7
existing in welds and connections and reacts with a developer
leakage indications of 4.5 310 mol/s (1 310 Std cm
2 that is applied outside of the container producing a visible
3/s) or larger.
indication.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 Two basic developer procedures are described:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2.1 Smoke-producing developers.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2.2 Color-change developers.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.3 Methods of introducing ammonia into unfilled systems
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (For more specific
aredescribed,togetherwithmethodsofestimatingtheconcen-
safety precautionary information see 7.4, 8.2, 9.4.1, and
tration and pressure needed to achieve specific detectable leak
10.3.1).
rates.
4.4 Procedures for testing large tanks and systems are
2. Referenced Documents
described.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3 4.5 Ultrasonic pretesting for gross leaks is described.
E1002 Test Method for Leaks Using Ultrasonics
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
5. Personnel Qualification
2.2 Other Documents:
5.1 It is recommended that personnel performing leak test-
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
4 ing attend a dedicated training course on the subject and pass
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
a written examination.The training course should be appropri-
ate for NDT level II qualification according to Recommended
Practice No. SNT-TC-1Aof theAmerican Society for Nonde-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on
structive Testing or ANSI/ASNT Standard CP-189.
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on
Leak Testing.
6. Significance and Use
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995. Originally
6.1 This method is useful for locating and measuring the
published as E1066–85. Last previous edition E1066–94.
The gas temperature is referenced to 0°C. To convert to another gas reference
size of gas leaks either as a quality-control test or as a
temperature, T , multiply the leak rate by (T +273)/273.
ref ref
field-inspectionprocedure.Itcanbeusedtotestcriticalpartsor
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
4 containers that will hold toxic or explosive gases or liquids or
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate
Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228-0518. as a quick test for other containers.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1066–95 (2000)
7. Interferences 9.1.1 Seal all openings using plugs or covers that can
withstand the test pressure and can be completely removed
7.1 The interior and exterior welds and joints where leaks
after the test.
are often found must be free of oil, grease, flux, slag, paint, or
9.1.2 Locate the test gas inlet on the bottom of the test
other contaminants that might temporarily block or mask
leakage. New containers should not be painted prior to test. object with the trapped air vent at the highest point.
Smoking during the test may cause false indications.
9.1.3 Components rated at pressures below the test pressure
7.2 Pure ammonia gas is likely to attack brass or copper
must be isolated.
metals in a humid environment. It will not if there is no water
9.2 Gages—One or more test gages must be connected to
vapor present.
the system. If more than one gage is used, one may be a
7.3 Ammonia gas attacks wood fibers when the wood
recording gage. All gages must have been calibrated within a
containsahighmoisturecontent.Drywoodtoleratesammonia
specified time period. One indicating gage must be easily
concentrations below 30%.
visible to the operator controlling the pressure throughout the
7.4 Ammonia in high concentrations can be hazardous.
pressurizing cycle.
When working with ammonia it is recommended that an
9.3 Pre-Test Inspection:
ammonia-sensitive badge be worn for safety.
9.3.1 Before pressurizing is begun, inspect the outside (and
7.4.1 The lower explosive limit (LEL) for ammonia and air
inside if possible) of the test object to verify that it is dry, free
is 15%. The upper explosive limit (UEL) is 28%.
of oils, greases, smoke deposits, or slag and that all welds and
7.4.2 The ceiling for limited exposure to ammonia (1 h) is
connectors are exposed.
about 500 ppm.
7.5 If the container to be tested has parts made of stainless 9.3.2 An ultrasonic pretest (Section 12) can be used to
locate gross leaks.
steel, nickel, or chromium alloys, the color-change developer
residue should have a sulfur and halogen content of under 500
9.4 Vacuum Drying:
ppm of each.
9.4.1 If the test object contains wood or copper parts that
willbeexposedtoammonia,andifthevesselisdesignedtobe
8. Apparatus
safe under vaccum, it may be necessary to vacuum-dry the
8.1 Apparatus for Precleaning:
inside of the object.
8.1.1 Gloves.
9.4.2 Moisture begins to evaporate at a pressure of about 3
8.1.2 Vacuum Pump or Heat Gun, if necessary to dry
kPa (25 torr). Bring the test object down to a pressure of 250
container.
Pa (20 torr). At this point water will boil off, indicated by a
8.1.3 Spray Gun, if aerosol cleaner not used.
sudden halt in the vacuum gage needle.When the needle starts
8.1.4 Ammonia-Sensitive Monitor, to test area contamina-
to go down indicating a lower pressure it can be assumed that
tion.
all but trace mounts of water have been eliminated.
8.2 Safety Apparatus:
9.5 Pressurizing—Gradually increase the pressure in the
8.2.1 Mask, covering mouth and nose.
system to 50% of test pressure during which time frequent
8.2.2 Ammonia Monitors.
checksshouldbemadeforleakage.Thereafter,slowlyincrease
8.2.3 Gas Mask, if personnel work inside the tank or with
the pressure to the final test pressure.The test pressure usually
high concentrations of ammonia during a test.
is between 75 and 150% of design pressure and should not
8.3 Apparatus for Injecting Ammonia Gas:
violateanyapplicablecodes.Iflargeleaksareexpectedandan
8.3.1 Pressure Gage—The gage must be able to withstand
ultrasonic pretest has not been conducted, stop the pressuriza-
normaltestpressures.Thegagemustbeaccuratetowithin1%
tion at 6.9 kPa (1 psig) and repair any leaks found before
of full scale. The gage must read at least 1.53 but not more
continuing.
than 43 the maximum test pressure to be used.The gage must
9.6 Leak Test:
be in current calibration.
9.6.1 At the completion of test pressure holding time,
8.3.2 Pressure-Relief Valve,ifhighpressuresaretobeused.
examine the system for leakage. Examination of leakage shall
8.3.3 Pressure-Reducing, -Control, and -Mixing Valves, for
be made of all welds, joints, and connections.
the ammonia and nitrogen circuits if not already mixed.
8.3.4 High-Conductance Injection Line and Exhaust Line.
9.6.2 The inspector shall mark all accessible leaks found on
8.4 Apparatus for Applying Colorimetric Developer:
the equipment using a nondeleterious distinctive tape. The
8.4.1 Spray Gun, if an aerosol is not used.
magnitude of leak shall be described in terms of the diameter
8.4.2 Temperature-Controlled Heat Gun, if a water-based
of the color-change indication or the apparent density of the
developer is used.
smoke produced.
8.5 Apparatus for Post Cleaning and Inspection:
9.7 Depressurizing—After inspection, slowly release the
8.5.1 Brush or Vacuum Sweeper, for developer powder.
pressure by venting the ammonia-nitrogen mixture to atmo-
8.5.2 Tape, for marking and sealing leaks.
sphereorintowater.Ammoniaisverysoluble;1Lofwatercan
absorb between 800 and 2000 L of gaseous ammonia. A
9. General Procedures for Test Objects not Already
vacuum pump may be used to help exhaust the remaining
Containing Ammonia
ammonia or the tank may be purged with nitrogen or com-
9.1 Openings: pressed air.
E1066–95 (2000)
9.8 Removing the Color-Change Developer—Remove the
c = % ammonia,
test developer from the test object by brushing it from the
p = psia, and
surface and cleaning with a dust-remover.
MDLR = atm·cm /s.
11.1.3 The equation can be recast to solve for any of the
10. Smoke-Developer Method
variables. For example, a company wishing to test for leakage
−11 −6 3
10.1 Sensitivity—This test is the least sensitive and least of 4.5 310 mol/s (1 310 Std cm /s) could proceed as
follows: Assuming that 345 kPa (50 psia) was the maximum
calibratable of the developer methods. Its sensitivity with pure
−8
ammonia at 6.9 kPa (1 psig) is approximately 4.5 310 pressuretheirsystemcouldtolerate,itwouldtake4minand30
−3 3
s to develop a reaction spot of 1 mm using a 50% concentra-
mol/s (1 310 Std cm /s).
10.2 Application: tion of ammonia.
This result is calculated as follows:
10.2.1 This test is used primarily on systems that already
contain ammonia or as a quick pre-test before applying the
2.534p
t 5 (2)
15 2 2/3
color-change developer.
~ p 232
...
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