Isolation and testing in Petrochemical Industry

Author: Martha Godsay

Whether working in a company's biotech or mechanical departments, numerous scenarios demand isolation and testing in petrochemical plants. These tests range from basic testing to more complex diagnostic steps such as carbon adsorption analysis, density measurements, etc. These tests have been part of the standard operating procedure for almost all industries, from pharmaceuticals to chemical manufacturers and paper mills to power generation plants. This is because, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API), "pollutants can contaminate our drinking water, threaten to induce cancer, and alter our body chemistry and cause other health issues.

Separation and testing in petrochemical plants like API should be done regularly, but this is not as easy as it sounds. It can sometimes be quite tricky to separate the tap water sample of residents from the plants. The reason for this is quite simple: because the average water contains numerous contaminants, such as pesticides, herbicides, chlorine, and others. Therefore, the water must be pretested by several water quality laboratories before the water can be separated and tested for contamination, while isolations and hydrotesting aids.

Apart from contamination, the separation process can also involve other factors that impact the results. A pre-test sample must be collected before the process in question starts. Then, samples taken during processing must undergo further testing to check for accuracy and consistency. Only then should the results of the entire process be compared with the pre-test to identify any discrepancies. In addition to accuracy and consistency, thoroughness of testing is another critical factor involved in this process.

To ensure that the water used in the petrochemical process is free of contaminants, the samples taken for hydro testing must be transported in de-mineralized water. This ensures that no previous contaminations are detected and that the process has been conducted on an entirely clean water source. The most commonly used method of transporting water samples is through specialized trucks carrying de-mineralized water or special tanks.

The complete process of isolation and testing in petrochemical plants involves the use of particular machines. Among these is a heavy-duty blower that can easily remove small particles and sediments during transportation. As a rule, these blowers are powered either pneumatically or electronically. Pneumatic models are more efficient and are preferred by most companies. In addition, they allow complete encapsulation of the sample, and thus, the removal of sediments and contaminants is much easier.

Companies usually use a dedicated staff, who undergo training in handling various types of samples and equipment in isolations and hydrotesting. In addition, specialized training equipment is also available from several companies. These include cupped hands for spreading the model, air pumps, air guns for delicate work, and temperature and pressure measuring devices. All in all, the complete process of testing and isolation in petrochemical plants is a demanding one.