Method for sealing remote leaks in an enclosure using an aerosol

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872649

Modera, Mark P ^[1]; Carrie, Francois R ^[2]

---

1. Piedmont, CA
2. Lyons, FR

The invention is a method and device for sealing leaks remotely by means of injecting a previously prepared aerosol into the enclosure being sealed according to a particular sealing efficiency defined by the product of a penetration efficiency and a particle deposition efficiency. By using different limits in the relationship between penetration efficiency and flowrate, the same method according the invention can be used for coating the inside of an enclosure. Specifically the invention is a method and device for preparing, transporting, and depositing a solid phase aerosol to the interior surface of the enclosure relating particle size, particle carrier flow rate, and pressure differential, so that particles deposited there can bridge and substantially seal each leak, with out providing a substantial coating at inside surfaces of the enclosure other than the leak. The particle size and flow parameters can be adjusted to coat the interior of the enclosure (duct) without substantial plugging of the leaks depending on how the particle size and flowrate relationships are chosen.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5980984
• OSTI ID: 872649
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
sealing
remote
leaks
enclosure
aerosol
device
remotely
means
injecting
previously
prepared
sealed
according
particular
efficiency
defined
product
penetration
particle
deposition
limits
relationship
flowrate
coating
inside
specifically
preparing
transporting
depositing
solid
phase
interior
surface
relating
size
carrier
flow
rate
pressure
differential
particles
deposited
bridge
substantially
seal
leak
providing
substantial
surfaces
parameters
adjusted
coat
duct
plugging
depending
relationships
chosen
particle deposition
inside surface
flow rate
particle size
pressure differential
interior surface
solid phase
method according
sealing leaks
substantially seal
flow parameters
prepared aerosol
previously prepared
leaks remotely
/427/