LT en 1593 1999. Tehn - Gasnih Mehurova

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EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 1593

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 1999

ICS 19.100

English version

Non-destructive testing - Leak testing - Bubble emission


techniques

Essais non destructifs - Contrôle d'étanchéité - Contrôle à Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung - Dichtheitsprüfung -


la bulle Blasenprüfverfahren

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 August 1999.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION


COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 1999 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1593:1999 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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EN 1593:1999

Contents
Page

Foreword 3

1 Scope 4

2 Normative references 4

3 Definitions 4

4 Personnel qualification 4

5 Principle 4

6 General requirements 5

7 Interferences 6

8 Immersion technique 6

9 Liquid application technique 7

10 Test report 8

Annex A (informative) Example of quantitative evaluation of leakage rate 10

Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential


requirements or other provisions of EU Directives 12
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EN 1593:1999

Foreword

This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 138 "Non-
destructive testing", the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication
of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2000, and conflicting national
standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by March 2000.

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements
of EU Directive(s).

For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
standard.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of


the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom.
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EN 1593:1999

1 Scope

This European Standard describes procedures for the detection and location of leaks by the
bubble emission techniques. The sensitivity depends on techniques and materials used.

Two techniques are described:

a) immersion technique: quantitative measurements can be made using this


procedure with particular devices (see informative annex A).
b) liquid application technique.

This standard can be used for equipment which can be evacuated or pressurised.

2 Normative references

This standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications
are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of
these publications apply to this standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.

EN 473 Qualification and certification of NDT personnel - General principles

EN 1330-8 Non-destructive testing - Terminology - Part 8 - Terms used in leak


tightness testing

EN 1779:1999 Non-destructive testing - Leak testing – Criteria for method and


technique selection

3 Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the definitions given in EN 1330-8 apply.

4 Personnel qualification

It is assumed that leak testing is performed by qualified and capable personnel. In order to
prove this qualification, it is recommended to certify the personnel in accordance with EN 473
or equivalent.

5 Principle

The techniques involve the establishment of a pressure difference across the object wall and
the observation of bubble formation in a liquid medium located on the low pressure side. The
minimum detectable leakage rate by these techniques depends on the pressure difference,
the gas and the liquid used for testing.
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EN 1593:1999

6 General requirements

The position of the leak shall be visible directly or indirectly in order to check if it is a real leak
in the area to be tested.

6.1 Gases

The test gas is normally air. Inert gases may however be used. When inert gases are used,
the safety aspects of oxygen deficient atmospheres shall be considered.

6.2 Pressure limits

Verification shall be obtained that the object has been designed to withstand the test pressure
difference. The test conditions shall be such that the object is not permanently deformed nor
should the test be a hazard for the operators.

6.3 Stabilization time (for immersion technique)

Prior to examination, the test pressure in the sealed object shall be maintained for a time
appropriate for the establishment of bubble emission. For small leaks, this may take several
minutes.

6.4 Surface temperature

Normally the temperature of that part of the surface of the object that is to be examined shall
o
not be below 278 K (5 C) nor above 323 K (50 °C), throughout the examination. Local
heating or cooling is permitted provided the temperatures remain within this range. Where it is
impractical to comply with the foregoing temperature limitations, other temperatures may be
used provided that the procedure has been shown to be suitable.

6.5 Direct visual examination

Direct visual examination is usually made when the surface can be viewed directly at a
distance not exceeding 0,6 m at an angle not less than 1/6 rad (30 degrees). Mirrors may be
used to improve the angle of vision, and aids such as magnifying lenses may also be used to
assist examinations. The component or area under immediate examination should be
illuminated, if necessary with a flashlight or other auxiliary lighting, to attain an appropriate light
level. Recommended illumination is 350 lux to 500 lux.

6.6 Indirect visual examination

In some cases indirect visual examination may have to be substituted for direct examination.
This may involve the use of visual aids such as mirrors, endoscopes, telescopes or other
suitable instruments. These should have a resolution capability at least equivalent to that
obtainable by a direct visual observation.
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EN 1593:1999

7 Interferences

The test object should be thoroughly cleaned.

Surface contamination, e.g. grease, rust, weld slag, etc., on the test object surface can mask
or cause bubble formation and give a false indication.

Contaminated detection liquid or one that foams spontaneously on application may cause
spurious surface bubbles on the test object and should be avoided.

8 Immersion technique

8.1 General

This technique (see EN 1779:1999, table A.2, technique C.1) is applicable to the examination
of objects that can be completely immersed in a container of detection liquid, including sealed
or temporary sealed ones during the test, and the pressure in any part of the test object shall
be greater than in the liquid and should be known.

8.2 Variations

8.2.1 Direct pressurization of the object

The object is pressurized and placed in the selected detection liquid. The surface, after the
stabilization (soak) time, is observed for a minimum period which depends on the test
specification (e.g. allowable leakage rate, pressure, liquid type) and the type of test object. A
stream of bubbles originating from any isolated point shall be interpreted as a leakage.

8.2.2 Use of detection liquid at elevated temperature

If the object is sealed close to an atmospheric pressure, its internal pressure can be increased
by placing it in the detection liquid held at an elevated temperature. The test time depends on
the internal volume of the object and shall be sufficient to allow a suitable pressure increase
within the object (according to the equation of state of ideal gases). The efficiency of this test
can be increased by introducing, before sealing, a liquid with a boiling point lower than the test
temperature.

A stream of bubbles originating from any isolated point shall be interpreted as a leakage.

8.2.3 Use of vacuum

The sealed object is completely immersed in the detection liquid in a vacuum chamber, with a
viewing port (see figure 1). Pressure in the vacuum chamber is reduced to a level which
depends on the detection liquid, to prevent excessive loss of liquid by evaporation.

A series of bubbles originating from any isolated point shall be interpreted as a leakage.
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EN 1593:1999

8.3 Detection liquids used in immersion technique

Various liquids may be used for the detection, provided that they are transparent enough and
do not adversely affect the objects being tested. Commonly-used are water with suitable
wetting agents, ethylene glycol or low-viscosity mineral oil.

An analysis of the detection fluid should be carried out to determine the presence of
undesirable components, such chlorine, fluorine, sulfur, etc.

Mineral oil is the most suitable liquid for the vacuum technique, but degreasing of the test
object may be necessary.

When the vacuum technique is used the liquid should be previously degassed.

9 Liquid application technique

9.1 General

This technique involves the application of a liquid film to the surface of the test object.

It is applicable to any object in which a pressure differential can be created across the
boundary to be examined. This technique may be used for open components and for those
objects for which immersion would be impractical.

9.2 Variations

9.2.1 Direct pressurization of the object

This procedure (see EN 1779:1999, table A.2, technique C.2) refers to objects that can be
pressurized. A suitable liquid surfactant is applied on the low pressure side (by brush, spray or
other methods).

Afterwards, wait for a sufficiently long inspection time to realise even slow production of foam
from small leaks. From large leaks the test fluid may be blown away and no foaming may
occur.

A growing foam originating from any isolated point shall be interpreted as a leakage.

9.2.2 Use of vacuum for unpressurized (open) objects

This technique (See EN 1779:1999, table A.2, technique C.3) is suitable for open objects e.g.
unfinished parts, objects not accessible on the rear side or large objects for which the
pressurization is impractical. The method involves the attachment of a suitable vacuum box
with a top viewing port to those parts of the test object under investigation, the latter having
been previously covered with surfactant liquid (see figure 2).

Care shall be taken in the design and construction of the vacuum box to prevent implosion.
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EN 1593:1999

The required pressure can be attained in the box by any convenient method, e.g. a vacuum
pump. Care should be taken in the sealing of the vacuum box, particularly on the weld
reinforcement (crown). The pressure should be progressively reduced until the specified test
pressure, e.g. 20 kPa or 50 kPa, has been reached. This value has to be maintained for the
specified time, at least 30 s. A minimum vacuum box overlap of 50 mm for adjacent test areas
is necessary.

9.3 Detection liquids used in liquid application technique

Suitable surfactant liquids shall be used. They shall be nonvolatile (they shall not dry at test
temperature during the inspection time), viscous and shall not foam under reduced pressure.
Commercial fluids not specific for leak testing shall not be used unless their suitability has
been previously demonstrated on that type of test, by comparison with the characters of a
specific bubble test fluid. In the presence of gas leakage however the bubbles which form
should persist for the duration of the test.

For vertical surface tests, the test fluid viscosity may be increased, if necessary, by suitable
methods.

The compatibility of the test fluids with the materials of the test objects has to be ensured.

10 Test report

If procedures require a test report, this shall include the following information:

a) technique used;
b) internal and/or low side pressure;
c) liquid type;
d) test temperature;
e) soaking time;
f) duration of the test;
g) operator certification;
h) test results.
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EN 1593:1999

1 vacuum gauge 1 testsection of the object with detection liquid


2 to vacuum pump 2 viewing port
3 detection liquid 3 vacuum gauge
4 bubble formation 4 to vacuum pump
5 object 5 vacuum box
6 viewing port 6 object
7 soft rubber seal

Figure 1: Immersion technique with use of vacuum Figure 2: Use of liquid application technique for
unpressurized (open) objects
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EN 1593:1999

Annex A (informative)

Example of quantitative evaluation of leakage rate

The bubble test is generally specified for the location of leaks and in this context the leakage
rate is not required as any bubble formation means rejection. In some cases, e.g. a valve with
a metallic gasket, the maximum specified leakage may be accepted. In this case the leakage
can be evaluated by bubble counting or can be measured by accumulating the escaping gas in
a graduated tube.

A typical test arrangement for the determination of the leakage rate is shown in figure A.1.

The gas escaping from the object (i.e. a safety relief valve) is led through a small tube to
bubble in a transparent cup or collected and accumulated in a graduated tube. Before starting
the bubble count, the test pressure shall be applied for a period in a range depending on the
object size. Air at approximately ambient temperature should be used.

Using table A.1, the leakage rate can be estimated from the size and number of bubbles per
unit time.

Table A.1
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EN 1593:1999

1 seal
2 cover plate
3 pressure

NOTE: The cover plate should be fitted with a suitable device to relieve body pressure in case
of accidental popping of the valve seal.

Figure A.1 Test apparatus for valve seat leak testing


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EN 1593:1999

Annex ZA (informative)

Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other


provisions of EU Directives

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the
European Commission and the European Free Trade Association and supports essential
requirements or provisions of EU Directive :

Directive 97/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 May 1997
on the approximation of the laws of the Members State concerning pressure
equipment.

Compliance with the test described in this Standard provides, for the fabricant of pressure
equipment, one means to demonstrate that the equipment is conforming with the following
Essential Requirements or provisions of the Directive concerned.

Table ZA 1 : Correspondance between this European Standard and Pressure


Equipment Directive (PED)

Clause of EN 1593 Essential requirements or provisions of Qualifying


Directive remarks/notes
Clause 4 Personnel qualification Annex I, clause 3.1.3 Non-destructive
testing
All clauses Annex I
subclause 3.1 Manufacturing
procedures
subclause 3.2.1 Final inspection
subclause 3.2.2 Proof test, last
paragraph

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