DVGW-Forschungsstelle am EBI: Fittings

Testing fittings and components for gas infrastructure

Tensile testing machine

Tensile testing machine for testing the longitudinal force tightness of material transition joints up to DN 200 © Matthias Bitsch

Fittings and components for gas installation, gas distribution and gas transport up to a size of DN 500 can be tested in the laboratories at the Test Laboratory Gas. The focus here is on the national and European standards as well as the Pressure Equipment Directive (2014/68/EU). Approval tests for 100% hydrogen up to 50 bar partial pressure have already been carried out within the scope of the Pressure Equipment Directive.

Focus of testing
Equipment

Scale bending test

Bending test with up to 70 kN © Matthias Bitsch

Regulator test bench: Determination of the closing pressure, characteristic curves and control groups, inlet pressure up to 40 bar, flow rate up to 400 m³/h (test medium: air)
3 creep test water baths: fill levels 1000 l, 3000 l, 5000 l, max. water temperature 95 °C, test pressure up to 100 bar (test medium: water)
Bending test bench: three-point bending, force up to 70 kN, max. deflection 800 mm
Continuous switching setup for shut-off valves: max. torque 300 Nm
Test furnace for higher thermal load capacity: temperature up to 1250 °C
Test equipment for melt mass flow rate (MFR): process A in line with DIN EN ISO 1133-1
2 temperature chambers: temperature range from –30 °C to 70 °C
Tensile testing machine up to 200 kN

Leak test of a tapping valve

Leak test of a tapping valve at -20 °C © Matthias Bitsch

Gas shut-off valves for gas installation, gas distribution, gas transport
PolyEthylene shut-off valves for gas
Metal transition joints for PE pipes
Gas tapping valves
Gas pressure regulators
Safety shut-off valves / pressure relief valves
Mechanical joining elements (separable unthreaded pipe connections for metal gas pipes)
House entries
Insulating joints
Gas hose assemblies and pliable corrugated tubing kits
Gas meters
Mechanical strength of valve bodies
a ZP regarding the (100%) H₂ readiness of gas fittings (ZP 4110) is in progress

Overview of relevant accreditations, standards and guidelines

Find out about the organisations with which the research centre is accredited here

More information from the European Commission

General Information (only English)

Guidelines related to PED

Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)

GADAC Guidance Sheets

Contacts

General questions about fittings

Michael Kunert

Gruppenleiter Armaturen Prüfung ∙ Gasanwendung ∙ Prüflaboratorium Gas

Phone+49 721 608-41252

Gas pressure regulators, safety shut-off valves and gas meters:

Klaus Huber

Prüfingenieur ∙ Gasanwendung ∙ Armaturen ∙ Prüflaboratorium Gas

Phone+49 721 608-41244

Engler-Bunte-Institut (ebi)

Additional test and analysis services

Hydrogen in the Test Laboratory Gas

The safe introduction of hydrogen is a cross-cutting task at the Test Laboratory Gas

Materials

Sealing and corrosion protection materials, auxiliary supplies and more

Gas appliances

From the camp stove through to combined heat and power units

Electrical engineering

Electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety

Fuel analytics

Comprehensive characterisation of all types of fuels