Projectile Tube Cleaning’s Helium Leak Detection Services Division offers the precision technology of mass spectrometry to detect leaks. Projectile personnel are capable of locating small leaks as little as 2×10-9 atm cc/sec helium. Like our tube cleaning services, our helium leak detection personnel can be ready at a moment’s notice and are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Some of the various leak detection testing services we offer include:
Condenser Air In-Leakage Testing
Air in leakage on steam generation units lead directly to increased back pressure. Ultimately this air in leakage can substantially decrease the overall megawatt production capacity for the unit and thus lead to a less profitable operation. In severe cases significant air in leakage can cause damage in the form of pitting on the turbine blades which can lead to increase maintenance costs.
Putting a stop to air in leakage is critical to efficiently operate a steam generation power plant and the first step of this process is identifying the sources of air in leakage. One of the most effective ways to find leaks is to use helium leak detection methods. This service involves testing various pieces of power plant equipment that are drawing a vacuum. The mass spectrometry leak detector is hooked up to the system’s exhaust and helium is sprayed around the relevant equipment. Any sources of leakage will be sprayed with helium, this helium will travel into the steam space and out the exhaust. When the helium exits the steam space through the exhaust it is measured by the mass spectrometer and the leak is pinpointed by technicians. Leaks are then tagged and listed based on the size of the leak. Our technicians generally begin at the turbine deck level and work their way down to the basement. Constant communication between the technician monitoring the machine and the helium wand operator ensure that the exact location of each leak is determined.
Electrical Generator Pressure Testing
Electrical generator testing is carried out using the sniffing method of mass spectrometry leak detection. The generator is pressurized with helium and then technicians “sniff” around common areas of leakage. This piece of equipment does not need to be operational in order to carry out testing. Pressure testing with helium leak detectors can be used on a multitude of different equipment. Projectile Tube Cleaning has also performed helium pressure tests on fuel tanks, pressure vessels, and air compressor systems. This page on our website discusses how helium leak detection can be done on any equipment that can be pressurized like an air compressor system: Leak Detection on Pressurized Equipment
Benefits of Projectile’s Leak Detection Services
- Pinpoints potential sources for common problems such as high back pressure and high levels of dissolved oxygen
- In most cases Projectile Tube Cleaning personnel can be onsite within a 24 hour period
- Projectile’s leak detection services can be coupled with our tube plugging and expansion joint repair services in order to directly address costly leaks
