| Case Studies
TRACERCO Diagnostics™ - Helium Leak Study
 An
experienced team of Tracerco technologists recently carried
out a large number of leak test studies on various heat
exchangers on a customers site, a major fine chemicals manufacturer.
The team of technologists used the TRACERCO Diagnostics™
Helium Leak Study, which in this case was used in an offline
capacity due to the extra sensitivity required from the
test and the confidence it provided the customer.
Various types of heat exchangers were tested (spiral,
shell & tube, plate) during the study and the results
were made available immediately.
The TRACERCO Diagnostics™ Helium Leak Study was carried
out as follows:
- A gross leak test using nitrogen is carried out first
to identify major leak sources
- After these major leaks are corrected, helium is then
placed in the environment on the high pressure side of
the vessel;
- The vessel is allowed to "Soak" for a period
of time OR a vacuum is pulled on the low pressure side
of the vessel;
- The gas present in the low pressure side is continuously
sampled & analysed for Helium using a specially designed
mass spectrometer.
- The concentration of the helium indicates the size
of the leak,
A total of 10 heat exchangers were tested over a one week
period in which Tracerco provided a 24 hour a day, 7 days
a week cover for the turnaround.
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Mass Spectrometer
Used during a TRACERCO
Diagnostics™ Leak Study
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The results of the TRACERCO Diagnostics™ Helium Leak
Study confirmed that a number of exchangers had small leaks
within them and these were repaired and then re-tested,
thus ensuring the plant was operating safely and at optimised
performance.
The benefits of the TRACERCO Diagnostics™ Helium
Leak Study are as follows:
- The results from the studies are available immediately
on site thereby reducing the vessel and plant downtime;
- The tests can be carried out quickly (using the vacuum
test) thereby reducing the plant downtime;
- The tests are highly accurate providing a high level
of confidence;
- The tests can be carried out on a hot vessel, thereby
reducing the cool time and hence downtime;
- Tracerco can provide cover 24 hours per day, 7 days
per week to optimise turn around time.
If you would like to know more about our Helium Leak technology,
please feel free to contact
us.
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