Leak detecting arrangement especially suitable for a steam condenser and method

Patent · Tue Oct 07 00:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6578962

Barefoot, E D; Pelletier, C A

The detection of leaks in tubes, particularly cooling tubes in a steam condenser, is disclosed herein. In accomplishing this, a discrete amount of helium or similar tracer gas is initially directed into the front ends of the tubes while, at the same time , this gas is prevented from escaping into the ambient surroundings. Thereafter, the gas is drawn or otherwise moved by positive force through the tubes to the backends thereof, causing a portion of the gas to escape through leaks in the tubes, if any such leaks exist. The escaping gas, if any, is detected to indicate the presence of a leak and, at the same time, the nonescaping tracer gas reaching the backends of the tubes is captured and directed to a remote location.

• Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
• Patent Number(s): US 4226113
• OSTI ID: 6578962
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 11 Apr 1979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
LEAK DETECTORS
DESIGN
STEAM CONDENSERS
LEAK TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
HELIUM
PIPES
TUBES
CONDENSERS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
NONMETALS
POWER PLANTS
RARE GASES
TESTING
VAPOR CONDENSERS
200101* - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Cooling & Heat Transfer Equipment & Systems