Mpumalanga-based wholly black-owned mechanical engineering company Brimis Engineering will procure a pressure relief valve test bench by the end of this month to test more than 90% of all installed safety valves currently in use in South Africa.

Global valve test and repair equipment supplier Ventil is the original-equipment manufacturer for the test bench.

“This acquisition will enable Brimis Engineering to extend its current offering to the mining sector, water boards, the pulp and paper industry, mineral processing plants, the oil and gas sector, petrochemicals enterprises and a host of other specialised engineering industries,” says Brimis Engineering technical director Moeketsi Mpotu.

The safety valve test bench will test pressure of up to 300 bar, and be equipped with a booster system that will increase test pressures to more than 400 bar.

Brimis will also have the technical capability to repair, test and certify critical application safety valves in line with the Pressure Equipment Regulations stipulated in the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).”

The OSHA requires that pressure equipment and all associated accessories undergo periodic inspection to ensure reliability and prevent over pressurisation, leaks and any possible harm to people and plant equipment.

“The test bench has a compressor that can test up to 330 bar, includes technologically advanced software that allows for valves to be tested to American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Petroleum Institute, British Standards and European Norms standards.”

Mpotu notes that, in addition to the listed specifications, there are also specific requirements dictated by the client, adding that the test bench is also capable of testing valves of not only up to 16 inches, but also of 0.5 inches.

He says the safety valve test bench can manage liquid pressure capacity of up to 320 bar, and conduct seat leakage testing such as the quantity of test fluid passing through an assembled valve in the closed position.

Technology and Innovation

Mpotu says Brimis Engineering has a young team of innovative skilled engineers who continue to build in-house engineering capability by investing in world-class equipment while striving to grow and develop inventive engineers.

The test bench is a high-quality machine, as all test data is stored online and can be shared electronically, he adds.

“The unique test software provides digital readings and verification against test standards while it stores and prints test certificates, all of which enable us to link all information to our Brimis Engineering operating platform.”

He notes that safety plays an important role, as with any machine, and a number of safety features have been built in to ensure the protection of the operator and equipment.

“This is a universal test bench for gas and liquid testing; it is also capable of testing shut-off valves with its state-of-the-art bubble laser counter. All testing is done in digital format, which eliminates human error.”

Mpotu adds that the test bench can test to international standards for liquids and gas, providing clients with peace of mind regarding the finest engineering tolerances.

He believes that the test bench will enable Brimis Engineering to maintain and improve its service offering to current and prospective clients in the power generation, steelmaking and cement manufacturing industries.

“We also aim to grow our market share by continuing to be technically ahead of the curve and astute while delivering cost-effective solutions to the industrial valve sector,” Mpotu concludes.