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Safety update: high pressure cylinder inspection and testing process adopted worldwide to save time and budgets


Stephen Butler


Chesterfield Special Cylinders Limited


DNV GL has added acoustic emissions testing to its rule set, making it the preferred method for the periodic inspection and testing of seamless steel gas cylinders. Stephen Butler, Director of Integrity Management at Chesterfield Special Cylinders, asks if this is the end for the now‐outmoded periodic hydro testing regime previously deployed across the global maritime industry?


Safety‐critical high pressure


gas cylinders in use aboard ships and vessels of all types must be regularly inspected, tested and re‐certified for their continued safe


AE tests give far more accurate results, so issues can be rectified rather than allowed to damage the cylinder


use. It is highly significant that DNV GL now includes acoustic emission (AE) testing in its rule set. Bureau Veritas has also adopted the method.


Thanks to the need for continuous improvement and budget management, global owners and operators such as Saipem, Sealion Shipping and DOF Subsea have already benefitted from AE testing of their cylinders.


The previously accepted practice for testing the cylinders was the hydrostatic ‘hydro’ proof test, where water is introduced and pressurised, often to a potentially hazardous one and a half times the working pressure for which the cylinder was designed.


Further problems with hydro tests include the time they take to complete; the greater expense; and safety concerns. The more sophisticated AE technique is considered faster, cheaper and safer.


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Society of Maritime Industries Annual Review 2018


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