Project: FUEL TANK AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM OF SUMMIT MEGHNAGHT II POWER PLANT

Owner： SUMMIT MEGHNAGHAT II POWER CO., LTD.(SMIIPCL)

VACUUM BOX TESTING – PROCEDURE API 650

VACUUM BOX TESTING

 Vacuum box testing is an effective leak testing non-destructive test method used to inspect
welding joints.
 This is a relatively fast test and one that can be conducted without interfering with other
fabrication operations.
 The test uses a box fitted with rubber seals around its open bottom and a Plexiglas top cover.
 The weld section to be inspected is coated with a soap -like solution and a light vacuum,
usually under 69 KPA (10 psi) is applied to the box.
 Vacuum Box Testing used in order to locate seam leaks in the welds of storage Tanks.
 Vacuum Box Testing can be used on lap welds, shell to annular welds, but welds, pressure
vessels, piping systems, among many others.
 The formation of bubbles on the soaped weld indicates the location of a leak.

VACUUM BOX TEST EQUIPMENT

 The vacuum box used shall be of approximately 150mm wide by 750mm long in size and
contain a clear window in the side opposite the open bottom, which provide proper visibility
to view the area under inspection.
 During testing, illumination shall be adequate for proper evaluation and interpretation of the
test.
 The open bottom edge shall be equipped with a suitable gasket to form a seal against the test
surface. Suitable connections, valves, lighting and gage shall be provided.
 The gage shall have a range of 0 psi to 15 psi, or equivalent pressure units such as 0 in Hg to 30
in. Hg.
 VACUUM SOURCE

 The gauge shall register a partial vacuum of at least 2 psi (4. Hg) (15kpa) below atmospheric
pressure or the partial vacuum required by the reference of code section.
 A partial vacuum of 21 kpa to 35 kpa shall be used for the test. If required, a secondary partial
vacuum test of 56 kpa to 70 kpa shall be performed for the detection of very small leaks. The
required vacuum can be developed in the box by any convenient method (e.g., air ejector,
vacuum pump, or motor intake manifold).

BUBBLE SOLUTION
 The bubble forming solution shall produce a film that does not break away from the area to be
tested, and the bubbles formed shall not break rapidly due to air drying or low surface tension.
The number of bubbles contained in the solution should be minimized to reduce the problem
of discriminating between existing bubbles and those caused by leakage.
 Soaps or detergents designed specifically for cleaning shall not be used for the bubble forming
solution.(As per API 650, Soap film solution and commercial leak detection solution, applicable
to the conditions shall be used)
 The bubble forming solution shall be compatible with the temperature conditions of the test.

TEST SURFACE
 As a standard technique, the temperature of the surface of the part to be examined shall not
be below 5 Degree C (40F) nor above 50 Degree C (125F) throughout examination.
 Local heating or cooling is permitted provided temperatures remain in the range of 40F to
125F during examination.
 Where it is impractical to comply with the foregoing temperature limitations, other
temperatures may be used provided that the film solution is proven to work at temperature
outside these limits, either by testing or manufacturers recommendations.

SURFACE CONDITION & PREPARATION

  The surface areas to be tested shall be free from oil, grease, paint or other contaminants that
might mask a leak. If liquids are used to clean the component or if a hydrostatic or
hydro-pneumatic test is performed before leak testing, the component shall be dry before leak
testing.

PROCEDURE
 Application of solution

The bubble forming solution shall be applied to the surface to be tested by flowing, spraying or
brushing the solution over the examination area before placement of the vacuum box.

 Vacuum Box Placement

The vacuum box shall be placed over the solution-coated section of the test surface and the
box evacuated to the required partial vacuum.

 Pressure (Vacuum) Retention

The required partial vacuum (differential pressure) shall be maintained for at least 10 sec or
the time required for the inspection.

 Lighting

The specific part, component vessel, or section thereof, under immediate examination, shall
be illuminated, if necessary with flashlight or other auxiliary lighting, to attain a minimum of
1076 Lux (100fc) for general examination.

 Overlap

The vacuum box test shall have at least 50mm overlap of previously viewed surface on each
application.

Evaluation
  The presence of a through thickness leak indicated by continuous formation or growth of a
bubble or foam, produced by air passing through the thickness, is unacceptable. The presence
of a large opening leak indicated by a quick bursting bubble or spitting response at the initial
setting of the vacuum box is unacceptable. Leaks shall be repaired and retested.

Advantages of Vacuum Box Testing Method

 Provides an immediate indication of any leaks present produced directly on the tested surface
 Easy to use
 Large areas can be inspected rapidly
 Can detect small leaks within a given area
 Requires only access to one side of the tested surface
 The method is relatively clean does not require comprehensive cleaning after the test.

Disadvantages of Vacuum Box Testing Method

 Can only detect leaks, other welding defects including surface imperfections are not identified.
 Surface preparation before testing including cleaning, de-greasing, rust and slug removal can
be time consuming
 The method should not be applied to painted objects
 Size and orientation of any leaks will have to be analyzed with a secondary NDT method
 For standard testing surface temperature must be between 5C and 50C. Otherwise a
procedure effective at nonstandard temperature range must be demonstrated.