Which test is used to evaluate safety valve operation?

The try lever test is specifically designed to evaluate the operation of safety valves. During this test, the lever on the safety valve is manually lifted to simulate the opening of the valve. This allows for an assessment of whether the valve opens at the specified pressure and returns to a closed position without any leakage when the test is completed. It provides a direct observation of the safety valve's performance and ensures that it will function correctly under the conditions it is designed for.

This test is crucial because safety valves are integral to the safe operation of boilers and pressure vessels, preventing overpressure situations that could lead to catastrophic failures. By using the try lever test, operators can confirm that the safety device will react properly in an actual overpressure scenario.

Other testing methods, while important in their own context, serve different purposes. For example, a pressure test might assess the integrity of the entire system, a blowdown test relates more to the operation of boiler water level controls, and a functional test might check overall system function rather than specifically how the safety valve operates.