Tracer-gas leak testing method
Tracer-gas leak testing method is a nondestructive testing method.
Types
Several tracer-gas leak testing methods exist among which the methods of choice are:
- Helium mass spectrometer or helium leak detection, providing the highest sensitivity
- Hydrogen leak testing or hydrogen leak detection, providing the best mobility
- Refrigerant gas leak detection, for refrigeration applications.
Method selection
The nature of the product or the process and the process gases will set the leak rate requirement:
| System | Allowed Leak Rate | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical process equipment | 10−1 to 1 mbar l/s | high process flows |
| Beverage can | low 10−5 to 10−6 mbar l/s | retention of CO2 |
| Vacuum pumped system | 10−5 to 10−7 mbar l/s | permanent pumping |
| IC-package | 10−7 to 10−8 mbar l/s | lifetime control |
| Airbag cartridge | 10−8 mbar l/s | lifetime control |
| Pacemaker | 10−9 mbar l/s | Bio compatibility |
| Closed vacuum system | 10−9 mbar l/s | X-Ray tube |
Based on the target leak rate the table below wil help to choose the most suitable method.
| mbar l/s | 102 | 101 | 100 | 10−1 | 10−2 | 10−3 | 10−4 | 10−5 | 10−6 | 10−7 | 10−8 | 10−9 | 10−10 | 10−11 | 10−12 |
| Bubble test in water | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | ||||||||||
| Bubble test soapy water | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | ||||||||
| Pressure decay | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | |||||||||
| Acoustic (US) | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | |||||||||
| Vacuum decay | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | |||||||||
| Corona tester | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | |||||||||
| Thermal conductivity | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | |||||||
| Halogen sniffer* | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | |||||||
| Hydrogen sniffer | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | -> | ||||||
| Helium sniffer | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | -> | ||||||
| Halogen detector* | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | > | ||||||
| Dye penetrant | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | >> | ||||
| Radio-isotope | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | >>>> | ||
| Mass spectrometer | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | >>>>>> | |
- Restriction of use (F-Gas Directive)
Typical applications of tracer gas leak testing include:
- Chemical plant [1]
- Petrochemical plant: hydrocracker,[2] vapocracker, catalytic reforming, steam reforming are all Hydrogen based processes were Hydrogen leak testing will be very appropriate,
- Semiconductor industry; all processes taking place in a process chamber at atmospheric pressure or under vacuum; Diffusion, Oxidation, LPCVD,[3] PECVD, PVD, Etch, Ion Implant, typically the later that implies vacuum will require Helium leak testing, while the other will make good use of Hydrogen leak testing,
- Automotive: with airbag [4] being the most demanding leak testing application (small gas tank, very high pressure, long shelf life) and air conditioning system (for best efficiency), fuel system (for low emission), exhaust system (for lowest pollution), engine and transmission (for no oil dripage), rims to keep tyre safe,
- Medical: to ensure safe and long life implant (pacemaker) [5] or a safe catheter
- Airplane: to quickly and safely locate fuel leaks,[6] to check oxygen distribution devices and cabin pressurization systems
- Refrigeration and air conditioning systems-residential, commercial or industrial- in order to deliver best efficiency at the lowest loss rate of refrigerant gases (ozone depletion)[7]
- Power distribution for high voltage circuit breaker using SF6 as a dielectric [8]
- Drinking water distribution grid [9] as today average leakage rate or efficiency is above 25%, wasting precious resources, water and power.
- Sewage water collecting network as leaks can contaminate drinking water collection process;
Another element of consideration is the dimension of the part to be tested as well as to take into consideration the law of physics, specially the rules that govern the flow of gas at different pressure. <<stub>>
Standards
Several standards apply to leak testing and more specifically to tracer-gas leak testing methods, for example
- BS EN 1779:1999; leak tightness by indication or measurement of gas leakage,
- BS EN 13185:2001 Non-destructive testing. Leak testing. Tracer gas method,
- BS EN 13192:2002 Non-destructive testing. Leak testing. Calibration of reference leaks for gases.
References
- ↑ Federal Equipment Leak Regulations for the Chemical Manufacturing Industry
- ↑ Case of a Cracker accident in Japan
- ↑ See paragraph "Description of the drawings"
- ↑ Helium Leak Testing
- ↑ Leak testing for medical equipment
- ↑ Leaky spy plane crash
- ↑ Leak Repair
- ↑ New SF6 Breaker Leak Study
- ↑ Helium as a tracer gas
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