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Testing Glycol jackets on Brite Tanks

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  • Testing Glycol jackets on Brite Tanks

    We are installing 15 bbl brite tanks. To test the glycol jackets tanks for leaks, we have put 20lbs of pressure into the tanks. Three of the tanks are not holding pressure. Two of the tanks have been retrofitted with plate chillers before we bought them. Trying to see if it worth to get these repaired or if we should scrap them and buy new.

    Questions:

    1. Is this pressure test a valid test to check for leaks? Is there another test that we should perform?
    2. Does anyone have experience repairing the glycol jackets in brite tanks and any advice?

    Thanks in advance for the advice!

    Ray Hill
    CEO / Brewer
    Hill Brewing Company, Inc.

  • #2
    Yes, Hydro testing is a valid test for vessel integrity. It is usually done at 1.5 times the maximum working pressure of the tank. On a non-ASME tank, that would be 15 psi WP and 22.5 psi hydrostatic test pressure. That said, you need to be sure it's being done correctly. When you say that you put pressure on the tanks, you do mean water pressure, right? Air and other gases are NOT useful for pressure testing. Be sure that ALL the air is purged from the jackets and that they are solid with water. Try to fill the jackets with ambient temperature water and keep the tank at the same temperature for the duration of the test. Install a good pressure gauge so you may read the jacket pressure during the test. And use good, sound valves to valve in and cut off your water supply. If there is a leak, you should watch the pressure fall on the gauge. Unfortunately, if two tanks were retrofitted with plate chillers, it sounds like someone else did this work for you. There's really no other reason to use a plate chiller on a jacketed tank. And if they're all the same pedigree tanks, then I would assume if two had already failed, the third and others will follow. Jackets leak for many reasons, but because this is recurring with the lot, this sounds like a manufacturing defect. Perhaps the manufacturer used improper insulation containing high amounts of chlorides. Over time, chlorides tend to corrode weld areas and cause tiny hairline cracks. And again, unfortunately chasing down cracks in jackets is messy and difficult. You must first remove the stainless cladding, then the insulation, then begin the seach. Once repaired and put back together, they may still continue to develop leaks. IMHO, your best bet is to use them as a single walled tank without the jackets. I hope I'm wrong and that you get these where you need them. Good luck!
    Phillip Kelm--Palau Brewing Company Manager--

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