This article was originally published on May 23, 2022, by Lou Altieri and was updated on June 5, 2024, by Jessi Jackowski.
Industrial water blasting and water jetting systems have unique challenges including high vibration, high pulsation and extremely high pressure. Water blasting, for example, can reach as high as 40,000 psi, while water jetting can reach 100,000 psi. These systems require close pressure monitoring using specialized instruments designed to withstand harsh conditions.
With more than 170 years of experience, Ashcroft understands how difficult ultra-high applications can be. We also know that using instruments that are not manufactured to tolerate demanding applications like these can cause your system to fail, damage your equipment and possibly injure your operators. If you’re using pressure instruments that are not designed to handle these conditions, you could damage your equipment and disrupt your process
Read this article to learn what you should consider before selecting a pressure measurement instrument for ultra-high-pressure applications. You'll also learn why the Ashcroft® T6500 Ultra-High-Pressure (UHP) gauge is designed with standards making it suitable for these pressurized water systems. When you are done reading, you will be in a better position to decide if this gauge is the right product to ensure the safety of your equipment and your operators.
What to look for in an ultra-high-pressure gauge
When selecting a pressure gauge for challenging applications like hydro blasting, safety is a top priority. That's why you must only use an instrument that meets ASME B40.100 or EN 837-1 standards before use. This will ensure the instrument passes fatigue and vibration testing and can withstand the demands of the process.
Other important safety considerations include:
Pressure threshold of the bourdon tube. When a Bourdon tube is engineered to rupture at lower pressures, the energy released is significantly lower. Conversely, a Bourdon tube designed to withstand very high overpressure before rupturing will release a greater amount of energy upon failure. A Bourdon tube rated for higher pressures will rupture at a correspondingly elevated value, leading to a substantial pressure buildup within the case. However, higher pressures typically involve liquids, resulting in less forceful failures compared to gases.
A solid-front design. For systems that are susceptible to overpressure, there is a high risk of injury to the operator. With a solid-front case, the bourdon tube is positioned towards the rear of the case, separated by a solid internal wall. This design ensures that in a catastrophic event, any tube rupture occurs towards the rear of the case, away from where an operator might be situated, prioritizing safety.
Figure 1: Solid-front gauge design.
About the Ashcroft® T6500 Ultra-High-Pressure Gauge
The Ashcroft® T6500 Ultra-High-Pressure Gauge is often used for industrial cleaning of pipes, tank and pressure vessels, tank trucks, process lines and inside of chemical, biochemical and fusion reactors. It can also be used with highly pressurized water mixed with an abrasive to cut a variety of materials like metal, concrete, stone, asphalt, glass and plastic.
T6500 Ultra-High-Pressure Gauge Features
- Pressure range: up to 100,000 psi (7,000 bar)
- Design: Rugged, solid-front, all-welded design with full rear blowout back
- Material: Stainless steel case with Inconel® 718 Bourdon tube and safety glass
- Size: 100 mm and 160 mm
- Ingress Protection (IP) rating: IP66 for protection against dust and water
- Case design: Dry, liquid-filled or PLUS!™ Performance dampening option
- Mounting: Stem, flush and surface
- Approvals: CRN, ATEX: Conformity acc. to RL 2014/34/EU appendix X for mechanical equipment in potential
hazardous areas
Specifications
Ranges:
30,000 psi, 40,000 psi, 60,000 psi, 80,000 psi, 100,000 psi
2,000 bar, 4,000 bar, 5,000 bar, 7,000 bar
Sizes:
100 mm, 160 mm
Gauge Accuracy:
1% of span for ranges to 60,000 psi.
Ranges > 60,000 psi 1.6% of span
Process Connection Size:
9/16-18 UNF-2B right or left-handed thread
M16 x 1.5 Female
Ready to learn more?
Now that you understand the unique challenges of ultra-high-pressure water blasting and water jetting applications, you can see why the pressure gauge you select must be designed properly to ensure the safety of your operation and your people.
The Ashcroft® T6500 is just one example of several instruments we offer to provide accurate and reliable pressure measurements under the most difficult conditions. To explore some of our other options, download our High-Pressure Instrument Brochure.
If you would like more information on pressure gauges, check out some previous articles we’ve written:
- How To Identify Your Pressure Gauge and Get the Proper Replacement
- How Does Temperature Affect Pressure Gauge Performance?
- How Do I Select the Right Pressure Gauge Range?
- How Often Should I Check the Calibration of My Pressure Gauge?
Or, talk to one of our industry experts and get all your pressure gauge questions answered.
In the meantime, download our eBook to learn how to avoid pressure equipment failure:
