Calculate minimum safe distances between piping system being pneumatically tested and personnel/plant facilities using ASME PCC-2 Mandatory Appendix 501-II and III equations. For details on the basis of this calculation and example manual calculation refer to the article on Pneumatic Testing - Safe Distances.

The calculation is based on air or nitrogen being used as test medium with specific heat ratio of k = 1.4.

Output

The total pneumatic test pressure volume is

The absolute test pressure in Pascals is

The absolute atmospherice pressure in Pascals is 101000 Pa

The value of Stored Energy in Joules is

The equivalent Stored Energy in kilograms of TNT is

Stored Energy in Joules is calculated using formula

Stored Energy (E) = 2.5 * Pt * V \(\left[1-\left(\frac{P_a}{P_t}\right)^.286\right]\) ..... as per equation II-2 from ASME PCC-2 Appendix 501-II.

where 

Pa = absolute atmospheric pressure = 101,000 Pa

Pt = absolute test pressure

V = total volume under test pressure

Stored Energy in terms of kilograms of TNT is calculated using

TNT = \(\frac{Stored Energy}{4,266,920}\) (kg) ..... as per equation II-3 from ASME PCC-2 Appendix 501-II

If E <= 135,500,000 J, the safe distance to be maintained is greater of 30m or R calculated as per equation III-1 below.

If E > 135,500,000 J and less than equal to 271,000,000 J, the safe distance to be maintained is greater of 60m or R calculated as per equation III-1 below.

If E > 271,000,000 J

Safe Distance (R) = Rs(2TNT)1/3..... as per equation III-1 from ASME PCC-2 Appendix 501-III.

where Rs = scaled consequence factor whose minimum value shall be 20m/kg(1/3).