HYDAC's US accumulator manufacturing facilities in Bethlehem, PA and Houston, TX achieves PED (also known as "CE") certification

What is PED & CE Certification?  Since May 2002, pressure vessels that are manufactured for sale into the European Union are required to conform to the rules established by the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED), also known as “CE”. The PED sets the standards for the design and fabrication of pressure equipment and other components and assemblies subject to pressure loading. HYDAC’s Accumulator manufacturing facility in Bethlehem, PA has achieved certification of its Bladder Accumulator (SB) production lines, and is moving forward to achieve PED Certification of its Diaphragm Accumulator (SBO) production lines in early 2018.

What this means to North American Customers:

Prior to this certification capability in Bethlehem, HYDAC had to rely primarily on their facilities in Germany to produce and deliver PED-certified Accumulators for our customers. This caused extra delivery costs and extended lead times. PED certification capacities in Bethlehem allows HYDAC to offer improved overall cost and lead times, typically in the 2-3 week range for standard products (compared to 10-12 weeks previously).

Other Capabilities:

Canadian (CRN) certification is available for Bladder Accumulators in the 10 to 57 liter sizes at both 3000 and 6000 psi, and for all Diaphragm Accumulators manufactured at the Bethlehem plant. This CRN Certification allows for HYDAC Accumulator sale and use in all Canadian provinces. HYDAC’s Bethlehem Engineering Team is in the process of expanding CRN certification for their Bladder Accumulator shells to include 1L and 4L sizes at 3000 psi, and stainless steel (SS) accumulator shells in 10-57 liter sizes. This expanded certification will also be relevant for the Houston-built accumulators because the same shells are used there. 

HYDAC – Houston, TX

HYDAC’s Houston, TX facility has achieved PED certification for its “Houston specific” design of Bladder Accumulators (specific fluid and gas ports) in sizes ranging from 10 to 57 liters. By mid-2017, they will be adding 4 and 6 liter sizes as well, and then expanding certification into 10-57 liter sizes of Bethlehem design configurations. Specifically, they currently have available accumulators with various certifications that are closely aligned to the requirements of the Oil and Gas Industry:

• PED/CE certification: - 10 to 57 liter (2.5 to 15 gallon) in 3000 psi and 6000 psi with “Houston-specific” design of Bladder Accumulators (different fluid and gas ports)
• ASME “U” stamped certification: - 1 liter (1 quart) 3000 psi 1 piece stem - 10 to 57 liter (2.5 to 15 gallon) in 3000 psi and 6000 psi with “Houston-specific” design of Bladder Accumulators (different fluid and gas ports)
• ABS Certification (often required for Marine and Offshore drilling/production): - 1 liter (1 quart) 3000 psi 1 piece stem gas valve - 10 to 57 liter (2.5 to 15 gallon) in 3000 psi and 6000 psi with “Houston-specific” design of Bladder Accumulators (different fluid and gas ports)
• DNV approval (often required for Marine and Offshore drilling/production): - 1 liter (1 quart) 3000 psi 1 piece gas valve - 10 to 57 liter (2.5 to 15 gallon) in 3000 psi and 6000 psi with “Houston-specific” design of Bladder Accumulators (different fluid and gas ports)

Timeline - PED Certification for Bethlehem:

Bladder Accumulator (SB) certification:

• Process began in March 2017

• Work commenced in conjunction with a local office of DNV to audit the Bethlehem facility for Bethlehem-specific accumulator designs:
• 3000 psi B/R and T/R carbon steel accumulators
  • Fluid Ports – carbon steel and stainless steel (SAE-24, 2” NPT, 2” Code-61, 2” BSPP)
  • 10L, 20L, 32L, 42L, 54L sizes
• 6000 psi B/R and T/R carbon steel accumulators
  • 10L, 20L, 32L, 54L sizes
  • Fluid Ports – carbon steel and stainless steel (SAE-24, 2” NPT, 1.5” Code-62, 2” BSPP)
• 3000 psi B/R carbon steel accumulators
  • 4L and 6L sizes
  • Fluid Ports – carbon steel and stainless steel (SAE-20, 1.25” NPT, 1.25” Code-61, 1.25” BSPP)
• Certification achieved - July 2017

Diaphragm Accumulator (SBO) certification:

• Initial audit by TUV (who previously audited HYDAC-Germany for PED certification) began February 2017 – action items were identified
• Pending 2nd visit – review of approval requirements; view weld samples
• Pending 3rd visit – pre-certification step for accreditation of PED to gauge readiness
• Pending 4th visit – Final visit for certification
• HYDAC US will have design control of the manufactured parts – Approval will be “H1” – submit designs without constant audits of every design
• Expect certification in 2018, pending re-organization of roles and responsibilities to meet self-audit criteria