02 June 2020

Bladder accumulator recertification by HFT

Submitted by: CubicICE (PTY) Ltd
Bladder accumulator recertification by HFT

As part of its part of its accumulator service package, Hytec Fluid Technology (HFT) conducts legal parameter conformance testing on bladder accumulators. The offering proves accumulator conformance to PER and SANS 347 standards. HFT tests and recertifies 1 – 50 litre-capacity Bosch Rexroth, Olaer and Hydac bladder accumulators. Other bladder accumulator brands, if accompanied by design drawings and parameter specifications, are also tested at the company’s accumulation certification centre in Spartan, Johannesburg.

 To test accumulator vessel expansion, vessels are subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test to 1.25 times the vessel’s working pressure – overseen by the Authorised Inspection Authority. Certified accumulators conform to the OHS Act (PER and SANS 347) with accumulators classified ‘Industrial & Factory’ certified for 36 months and those classified ‘Mine Health & Safety’ certified for 24 months.

 “Testing accuracy on all parameters of reference is done to six decimal points,” points out HFT Workshop Foreman and Technician Tony Greef. “This allows for extreme accurate parameters to reflect and, subsequently, the most on point certificate to be issued.” Vessel wall thickness is verified using a five-point ultrasonic thickness test. In addition to recertification, the accumulator service includes, accumulator stripping; double cleaning; and reassembly with a new bladder, seal kit and anti-extrusion ring. Protective paint forms part of vessel refurbishment and recertification.

 Three accumulator units can be bench-mounted, harnessed and tested simultaneously, facilitating an approximate 60-minute testing turnaround per vessel. All test work is carried out on the HFT onsite accumulator test bench, an R800 000-investment developed by fellow Group Company Tectra Automation. “Downtime prevented or minimised for our clients due to this swift turnaround is an example of our motto, ‘We move – you win’, in action,” Greef enthuses.

 “All safety and legislative boxes are ticked before we release a serviced and compliant accumulator,” he says. “This means we give our customers peace of mind along with their recertification certificate.” He points out that new regulations pertaining to accumulator certification compliance are under discussion by the relevant authorities.  “However, HFT will guarantee compliance with all new or revised regulations when conducting certification testing.”

 Hytec Fluid Technology, a member of the Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies, is an ISO-9001 accredited company.

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