• Expansion Seal Technologies

Flange Weld Test Plug

A newly designed flange weld test plug, from Expansion Seal Technologies, allows users to isolate the flange weld area, monitor upstream conditions, nitrogen purge, weld, and hydro test the welded connection of a replacement flange to ANSI B 16.5 requirements, using less than a gallon of water. The new plug design eliminates problems associated with "weld droop" or "weld protrusion". A uniquely engineered high lift seal assembly allows for easy insertion and removal. Designed to pass by the "weld droop", EST's flange weld test plug is still capable of sealing at the test requirements for 150 and 300 connections. Test plugs are available in sizes ftom 3/4 to through 42" and flange ratings to 1500. The new plug design is especially effective in saving time and money in refining and chemical plant piping systems. It eliminates the need to install blinds upstream of the flanges to be tested hydrostatically, a process which might involve multiple connections. Since the plugs allow the test area to be isolated and require a minimum amount of water, the procedure of filling the entire line with water, pressurizing it and having a vacuum truck evacuate the line is also eliminated. The ability to hydrostatically test just the weld area offers a more cost effective test method than X-ray and avoids the readability problems sometimes associated with the X-ray technique.