Solution: Acoustic Emission Testing – AT

The great advantage of acoustic emission testing (AT) is that the required hydraulic pressure test or internal examination of pressure equipment can be replaced by AT. (see also DGÜW-V §41(3) and §42(6)).

A normal hydrostatic test has a number of disadvantages, e.g:

• Long interruptions of operation for the operator
• Within the scope of the design, certain system parts, e.g. supports, must be significantly overdimensioned only for the initial and recurring hydrostatic test
• The residual moisture remaining in the pressure equipment after the water pressure test can cause problems during the following period of use (corrosion, HIC)
• The water used for the water pressure test is contaminated afterwards

• In many cases, the pressure equipment can be tested close to the operating condition, i.e. in cryogenic applications, the material is also tested in this temperature range.
• The humidity caused by the hydrostatic test is avoided, as the pressure is usually applied by means of pneumatic media.
• only limited accessibility of the test object is required
• actively detects defects
• the operating medium does not have to be emptied
• no pressure test water is needed and it has to be emptied again
• the supporting structures of the vessel did not have to be designed for the pressure sample water weight, which is
• particularly important for large pressure air vessels
• there are low overall testing costs
• no bladder removal is necessary for hydraulic accumulators