Hydrostatic Testing is a common procedure used to performance verify a fluid pressure vessel, such as, valve body and ball. Hydrostatic testing is also a common testing procedure to verify pressure vessels do not leak or have manufacturing flaws. Hydrostatic testing is important for pressure vessels in the interest of device safety, and durability under operating pressure. Hydrostatic test is normally conducted under industry and/or customer requirements or specifications. 
The pressure vessel to be tested is located within a valve body; the valve body is filled with a incompressible fluid, typically water or oil. The valve body is then subjected to a specified internal pressure for specified time duration. The valve shell test pressure is normally a significant percent greater than the valve cold working pressure of the valve (typically 150). The applied pressure causes the valve body to expand, instrumentation, which is already in place, are then read to determine the total and permanent expansion that the valve body undergoes. A physical and visual inspection then follows the hydrostatic test to determine that the device being tested has not been damaged or permanently distorted due to the test pressure. This procedure normally will be done at valve design and verification stage.
Research and Development Capabilities include high and low pressure flow loop testing for verification of capacity, characteristics, product performance, and noise levels. The computer data acquisition center captures the test parameters and results.
Flow Testing – Water:
- Type of system: Continuous flow closed loop
- Data Acquisition and Loop Control: Lab View
- System Capacity: 72 GPM
- Pumps: 1 variable speed, 125 horse power
- Fixed speed 150 horse power pumps
- Test valve size range piping and fixtures for 2″ – 6″
Extreme Temperature Testing:
- Elevated Temperature test chamber – Grieve
- Ambient to 120° F – 50″H x 26″W x 37″D
- Extreme temperature test chamber – Associated
- Temperature Range -120° F to 350° F – 14″H X 15″W X 15.5″D
- Oven – 150° F – 550° F 14″H X15″W X 14″D
- Cryogenic testing to -320° F
Noise and Pipeline Vibration Measurement:
- EXTECH Digital Sound Level Meter with RS232 PC interface
- DATAQ Data acquisition system with interface and software
Electronic and Electrical:
- Oscilloscopes
- Function Generators
- Multi-Meters
- Loop/Process Calibrators
Fugitive Emissions:
- FOXBORO Model OVA 88 Century Organic Vapor Analyzer
Strain Measurement:
- Strain gages with RS232 PC interface and WIN 5000 Data Acquisition software
Torque Testing:
- Digital Torque Wrenches with RS 232 PC interface measures to 100 ft. lbs.
- Dynamometer and lever measures to 210 ft. lbs.
Vacuum Testing:
- 13.3 SCFM Vacuum Pump
- (2) 2 SCFM Vacuum Pumps
Mechanical Vibration Testing:
- Vibration testing table – Frequencies up to 60 Hertz
Miscellaneous Testing:
- Automated Test Stand for Manual Actuator Cycling
Materials Testing:
- Scott Tensile tester (Materials Lab)
- Techpro ODR Rheometer (Materials Lab)
- Brinell Hardness Tester
- Magnetic Particle Testing
- Microscope 50, 100, 400 Power for material analysis
Cyclone ball valves are constructed of quality materials using virgin schedule 80 PVC EPDM seats and seals. Rated 150 PSI at 72 degrees Fahrenheit water temperature. Full port flow opening, quarter turn operation. Fit schedule 2, 3, 4, 6, pipes. Solvent ends comply with ASTM D2466.