What is the test pressure for water cooled or evaporative NH3 systems?

The test pressure for water-cooled or evaporative NH3 (ammonia) systems is set at 250 psi to ensure the integrity and safety of the system. During testing, the pressure is elevated above the normal operating pressure to identify leaks, weaknesses, or potential failure points in the piping and components.

Maintaining a pressure of 250 psi helps to ensure that the system can handle operational pressures effectively, considering the safety factors associated with ammonia, which is classified as a hazardous material. This pressure level is typically in line with industry standards, taking into account both the physical properties of ammonia and the design specifications of high-pressure piping systems.

Using a test pressure that is too low may allow undetected faults to remain in the system, whereas excessively high pressures could introduce unnecessary risk of failure. Thus, the selection of 250 psi strikes a balance between being sufficiently rigorous for safety testing and being representative of operational conditions.