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Leak Detection
Leakage detection can be divided into two broad groups
(a) High or over-pressure method
In this method, the system under test is filled with gas to slightly over atmospheric pressure and the outflow is detected.
(b) Low or under -pressure method
In this method, a special device in the system is used to detect the flow of an externally applied gas.
a) Over Pressure Methods
(i) Wet testing
In this method, the vessel is immersed in water or liquid of low surface tension such as alcohol, any bubble produced will indicate the presence and origin of a leakage.
If the vessel is too large to be immersed, the suspected area is painted with a soap solution or any other search liquid available, the leakage will be indicated by bubbles
NB; The vessel must first be filled with pressure before the search liquid is applied or before emersion
(ii) Sealing compound
In this method, suspected soldered joints are covered with plasticine or a Q compound, if the leakage stops then that is exactly where the leakage is. The leakage is then sealed and the vessel pressure is reduced.
(iii) The sniffer technique
In this method, gas issuing from the leaks in a pressurized system is sampled by being drawn through a flexible tube into a suitable detector (sniffer) .Within this detectors head, electrons are emitted and these in turn shall ionize any gas molecules present from the system. This can be measured.
(iv) Spark coil
In this method , testa coils is used for locating leakages in a gas vacuum system .The tip of the coil is passed over the surface of the vessel and when it comes into contact with a leak , a high frequency spark jumps from the tip of the coil to the leakage area .
b) Low Pressure Method
In this method, the detector is usually a pressure gauge mounted within a continuously pumped system. A leak will be indicated by an apparent change in pressure when a suitable probe gas replaces the leaking air. For sensitivity to be maintained, the following must be taken into account.
- The pressure in the region of the detector head must be stable so that small pressure changes due to the probe gas can be detected.
- The detector head must be sensitive to the probe gas.
- The detector head must be positioned so that the gas from all possible leaks flows past it.
Detectors commonly used include:
- a) Discharge tubes-this uses change of color when different probe gases are introduced.
(b)Pirani thermocouple gauge– Hydrogen gas is used as a probe gas
(c) Ionization gauges – butane gas is used as a probe gas .It’s in fact the best gas to use due to its change in ionization potential and the change in the electron emission characteristic of the filament.
(d) Palladium barrier leak detector – This is a form of filament ionization gauge which is sensitive only to hydrogen. It depends upon the principle that, in cold state, palladium is impervious to all gases but under red-hot conditions, it is highly porous to hydrogen. The head is normally evacuated to a pressure of the order 10 –1 torr. During operation, the palladium barrier is heated by electrons bombardments. The electrons being produced thermally and accelerated towards the positively charged palladium. Hydrogen probe gas which enters the system via the leaks diffuse through the hot palladium and is ionize by collision with electron streams . An electrode collects the resulting positive ions, which is at the negative potential with respect to the cathode. These cause a current to flow in the collector circuit. The current is amplified as in the hot filament ionization gauge. The palladium barrier can detect leaks of 10-8 torr lit /sec
- e) Halogen leak detectors—This detector is based on the increase in positive ions emissions from a hot platinum anode when it is exposed to gas molecules containing one or more of the halogen element i.e. chlorine , bromine , fluorine and iodine .
The instrument consists of two coaxial cylindrical electrodes. The inner one is the anode made of platinum, which is heated to about 500°C by an internally insulated platinum filament, and the outer one is the cathode.
A potential difference of 50 – 500V is maintained between the electrodes .The hot platinum anode emits positive ions which flow to the cathode and therefore an ammeter connected in series with a voltage supply records the ion current. Freon is generally used as the probe gas. The detector can be connected to the vacuum system in the same way as a pirani gauge is connected and then the surface of the vacuum system is probed with the probe gas in the usual way.
Halogen leak detectors can be used by probing the gas issuing from the leak of a special detector if a specious detector head is pointed to the surface of the vacuum system which had been filled with the search gas to a pressure just above one atmosphere . On entering the detector, the presence of the halogen at the heated anode surface increases the positive ion emission from the platinum .An increase of the emission current is therefore recorded. A minimum leak of 10 –8 torr can be detected
- f) Mass spectrometer leak detector– This is the most sensitive and the most expensive leak detector using a probe gas. It separates ions of different mass from each other; ions of particular masses are selected and measured. Helium ions are usually selected while helium gas is used as the probe gas but other probe gases e.g. argon, neon or hydrogen can have their ions selected
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- Fixing Vacuum Leakages:
Once a leakage is identified, appropriate steps can be taken to fix it:
- Tightening connections: Ensuring that fittings, seals, and connections are properly tightened.
- Replacing damaged components: Repairing or replacing cracked or broken components, such as gaskets, seals, valves, or tubing.
- Using sealants or adhesives: Applying suitable sealants or adhesives to fill gaps or seal leaks in the system.
- Proper maintenance: Regularly inspecting and maintaining the vacuum system to prevent and address potential leakages.
- Fixing Vacuum Leakages: