API 674 Standard: Key Points for Selecting a Pressure Test Pump

Pressure testing is a critical step in ensuring the safe operation of pressure-bearing equipment. As the core equipment for pressure testing, the performance and reliability of the pressure test pump directly determine the accuracy and safety of the test results.

1. What is the API 674 Standard?

The API 674 standard is an authoritative specification for the design and manufacture of reciprocating pumps in the oil, gas, and chemical industries. It ensures the stable operation and safety of pressure test pumps.

2. Flow Rate and Pressure

Flow rate and pressure are the core parameters in the selection of a pressure test pump, directly determining the equipment's application scope and testing capability. Under the framework of the API 674 standard, these two parameters do not exist in isolation but are mutually constraining and dynamically interrelated. When selecting a pump, the pressure rating should be determined based on the actual testing conditions.

3. Structural Design

Structural design is the foundation for the long-term stable operation of a pressure test pump. The API 674 standard sets forth systematic and stringent technical requirements in this regard, covering the power end, fluid end, sealing system, and auxiliary components. Structural design is validated through type tests and factory acceptance tests. According to the standard, each pressure test pump must undergo a continuous four-hour operation test under rated conditions.

4. Pump Type Selection

• Triplex Pump: High cost-effectiveness with stable flow output.
• Quintuplex Pump: Smooth operation with minimal flow pulsation, ideal for high-precision testing.

5. Qualifications

Qualified suppliers should hold API Q1 Quality Management System Certification. It is recommended to conduct on-site inspections to verify whether the manufacturer is equipped with a type test bench compliant with API 674 requirements and capable of performing a durability test under rated conditions lasting at least four hours.

Selecting a pressure test pump that complies with the API 674 standard is of critical importance. As a company certified under the API Q1 Quality Management System, Elephant Machinery is committed to providing global customers with high-performance reciprocating pumps, including piston pumps and plunger pumps!