Air mass spectrometer leak detection using the special air leak test (SALT) cart

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.572693· OSTI ID:6736317

Solomon, G M

Air mass spectrometer leak detection is being utilized in the Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plant as a method of rapidly localizing leaks in this extremely large and complicated maze of process piping. A SALT cart has been developed to minimize the time and problems such as long time constants, helium permeation, low pumping speeds, and large helium hoods associated with helium mass spectrometer leak detection. By using the SALT cart to positively indicate the presence of air, in conjunction with process valve manipulations, leaks can be quickly localized to specific sections of piping. This process saves time and effort which would otherwise be spent helium probing nonleaky sections. Once a leak has been localized, the SALT cart can aid in pinpointing the leak using various tracer gases. A helium mass spectrometer leak detector may also be placed in series with the SALT cart taking full advantage of the SALT's high speed and the leak detector's high sensitivity. Cart design will be discussed in addition to testing methods and sample results.

• Research Organization: Vacuum Technology, Separation Systems Division, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Union Carbide Corporation Nuclear Division, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
• OSTI ID: 6736317
• Journal Information: J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States), Journal Name: J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States) Vol. 2:2; ISSN JVTAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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AIR
CENTRIFUGATION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
GAS CENTRIFUGATION
GASEOUS DIFFUSION PROCESS
GASES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
JOINTS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAK TESTING
LEAKS
MASS SPECTROMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTIMIZATION
PIPE FITTINGS
PUMPING
PUMPS
SEALS
SENSITIVITY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROMETERS
TESTING
VACUUM PUMPS
VACUUM SYSTEMS
VALVES