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As QA Manager at a pressure vessel fabrication facility, we hydrostatic test by filling vessel up with water, venting ALL air from vessel. Water pressure from standard household water supply here in USA brings pressure up to approx 84 psi, then use an inexpensive Reed brand hand hydro pump (still hooked up to water supply) to bring the pressure up to 1000 psi max..

This is the procedure I developed for testing pressure vessels.

Hope this helps..
Robert P.

Hydrostatic Testing Procedure

Raised face flange connections shall be protected from scaring and be free of any debris

Test fittings shall be made up tight and leak free.

Valves shall be rated appropriate to testing pressures.

Test gauges shall be rated appropriate to testing pressures and be calibrated as verified in the Calibration Log book. Test gauges should preferably have dial(s) graduated over a range of approximately double the intended maximum pressure and the range should be not be less than 1-1/2 nor more than four times that pressure.

Bolts shall be rust free and clean of any debris. Bolts should be lubricated. After testing, appropriate flanges shall be bolted and torqued in a cross-pattern tightening sequence (refer to GRI Technical Services Bolt Tightening Work Sheet).

Care should be taken that fluctuations in ambient temperature do not cause excessive pressure to build up.

1. Position vessel so that all air can be eliminated
2. Install a high point vent valve to release air and open valve while filling vessel with water
3. Install a drain valve at lowest point possible and close valve
4. Install a water supply pipe with valve and calibrated test gauge that can be isolated to hold desired pressure
5. Open water supply and valve to completely fill the vessel
6. Close high point vent valve when water exits the high point vent and all evidence of trapped air has been eliminated
7. Close water supply valve when test pressure is reached
8. Record test pressure and date/time
9. Hold test pressure for one hour or until assurance that vessel is leak free
10. Record date/time, test pressure, elapsed time of testing and vessel serial number on appropriate inspection record
11. To drain vessel, first open high point vent valve slightly
12. Open bottom drain valve slightly until pressure is totally relieved and test gauge reads zero pounds pressure
13. Completely open high point vent valve
14. Open bottom drain valve ¾ open
15. When draining is complete, remove all testing appurtenances
16. All openings should be protected for shipment

Thanks for sharing a detailed procedure.