What is Valve Shell Test (Body Test)?

The Valve Shell test or body test is conducted based on the valve manufacturer approved test procedure. The most valve manufacturers standard procedures are driven by the requirements of API 598 (Valve Inspection and Testing) and ASME B16.34 (Valves — Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End)

The API SIFE Course has a section that covers the Valve Shell Test. The API 598 is part of API source inspection fixed equipment course and indicates applicable requirements for each valve type. The I4I Academy API 570 Piping Inspector course in section API 574 (Inspection Practices for Piping System Components) covers different valve types and describes inspection and testing requirements.

The valve is mounted on the test bench and shall be partially open. The valve body is subjected to the hydrostatic pressure. The result of the test will be satisfactory if no leak observed from the valve body, packing gland, etc. No leakage is acceptable. The pressure also shall not be dropped during the test. 

Valve Shell Test Pressure

The API STD 598 refers you to the table 3 in the standard and provides the test pressure for cast iron valves based on their ratings but you know the majority of the industrial valves are made from cast steel. 

For cast steel, the API 598 refers you to the ASME B16.34 for test pressure. The ASME B16.34 indicates that the shell test shall not be less than 1.5 times the 38°C (100°F) pressure rating, rounded off to the next higher 1 bar (25 psi) increment.

For example, if you have a valve with cast steel material (A 216 Gr. WCB) and rating of 2500, you should refer to the table 2.1.1 in ASME B16.34. The table says your working pressure is 425.5 bar at 38°C (100°F). It equals to the 6524.85 psi. Now multiply this value by 1.5 and your test pressure will be 9382.3 psi. You have to round it to the next 25 psi, and it will be 9400 PSI.

Valve Shell Test Duration

On both API STD 598 and ASME B16.34 shell test duration depends on the valve size. The valve size less or equal 2 inch the test duration will be 15 seconds, between 2 1/2 and 6 inch 60 seconds, between 8 and 12 inch 120 seconds and above 14 inch will be 300 seconds. 

Other Requirements

The test water temperature shall be between 41°F (5°C) to 122°F (50°C). If the valve material is the stainless steel, then chloride ion content shall be less than 100 ppm.

The applied pressure gages for shell test shall be calibrated and pressure gage shall not be less than 1.5 times of test pressure and not be more than 4 times of test pressure. In above example, a 15000 psi pressure gage will be appropriate, but a 12000 psi pressure gage will not be accepted since the range is less than 1.5 times of test pressure. 

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