At Aochun’s Jiangsu production facility, no heat exchanger leaves the factory without undergoing a stringent hydrostatic pressure test—a cornerstone of the company’s zero-defect quality philosophy. Often referred to in the industry as “penetration testing,” this procedure simulates real-world operating conditions to verify that all welded seams, gasket seals, tube-to-tube sheet joints, and pressure boundaries can safely withstand design pressures without leakage or deformation.
Why Penetration (Pressure) Testing Matters
Heat exchangers operate under high temperature and pressure, often handling hazardous or costly fluids. Even a minor leak can lead to:
Production shutdowns
Safety hazards
Environmental contamination
Costly warranty claims
To prevent these risks, Aochun conducts mandatory pressure tests on every single unit, regardless of size or application.
Aochun’s Standardized Testing Process:
Test Medium: Clean water (or inert gas for special applications) is used as the test fluid to avoid contamination.
Test Pressure: Typically 1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP), in accordance with ASME Section VIII and PED 2014/68/EU requirements.
Hold Time: Pressure is maintained for a minimum of 30 minutes while inspectors monitor for any drop in pressure or visible leakage.
Inspection Points: All flanges, gaskets, weld seams, port connections, and expansion joints are visually and instrumentally checked.
Documentation: Each test is recorded with date, operator, test pressure, duration, and pass/fail status—ensuring full traceability.
For plate heat exchangers, the test verifies both the frame assembly integrity and gasket sealing performance. For shell-and-tube units, it confirms the strength of tube-to-tubesheet joints (rolled or welded) and shell weld quality.
Certified & Compliant
All testing procedures align with:
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) 2014/68/EU
GB 150 (Chinese Pressure Vessel Standard)
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
Aochun’s dedicated testing bay is equipped with calibrated pressure gauges, digital data loggers, and safety interlocks—ensuring consistent, repeatable, and auditable results.
Customer Benefits:
Zero-Leak Guarantee – Every unit is validated before shipping
Reduced On-Site Commissioning Time – No need for retesting at customer facilities
Enhanced Safety & Compliance – Meets global regulatory requirements
Long-Term Reliability – Early detection of micro-defects prevents field failures
Commitment to Excellence
“A pressure test isn’t just a quality checkpoint—it’s our promise to the customer,” says Aochun’s Quality Assurance Manager. “We believe that true reliability starts in the workshop, not after installation.”
This rigorous approach has earned Aochun the trust of global leaders in power, chemical, and marine industries—and reinforces its reputation as a manufacturer that builds confidence, one tested unit at a time.
