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Detection of Leaks

This document describes guidelines for detecting leaks using air or nitrogen as the detection medium. Safety precautions must be followed, such as using calibrated gauges and pressure relief devices. The component is isolated and pressurized, then monitored for pressure changes over time, which would indicate a leak. Personnel should be thoroughly familiar with leak testing procedures and equipment. When preparing a vessel for testing, it should be empty, cleaned, pressurized, and monitored for pressure loss to identify any leaks.

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Rahul Chandrawar
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56 views2 pages

Detection of Leaks

This document describes guidelines for detecting leaks using air or nitrogen as the detection medium. Safety precautions must be followed, such as using calibrated gauges and pressure relief devices. The component is isolated and pressurized, then monitored for pressure changes over time, which would indicate a leak. Personnel should be thoroughly familiar with leak testing procedures and equipment. When preparing a vessel for testing, it should be empty, cleaned, pressurized, and monitored for pressure loss to identify any leaks.

Uploaded by

Rahul Chandrawar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Equipment and Guidelines Used for the Detection of Leaks

engstack.com/kb/equipment-and-guidelines-used-detection-leaks/

This article describes the equipment and guidelines used for the detection of
leaks. Air or Nitrogen can be used as the detection medium. This document
should be used when new piping/equipment is put into service. This document
should also be used to check for leaks on piping/equipment that has been opened
up for inspection/repair before putting back into service.

Safety Considerations

Although Nitrogen is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, careful attention to


safety must be taken in the planning and performance of a Nitrogen leak test.
Minimum safety precautions must include:

Use of calibrated pressure gauges.


Use of correctly sized pressure relief devices.
Isolation of the pressure source while maintaining the test pressure prior to
inspection.
Determination that all components subject to pressure, vacuum or heating
(for drying purposes) are not subject to damage by these procedures.
Maintain awareness that Nitrogen is an asphyxiant and can collect in
confined spaces.

Principle of Operation

The component to be tested is isolated, fitted with a pressure-measuring device


and pressurized with a dry gas. Alternately, a vacuum can be applied to the
component. A change in pressure over time indicates a leak in the component.
Results can be excellent in small components, but as the size of the test object
increases, the time required to obtain meaningful results becomes prohibitive.
The necessary time for a test is calculated using the volume of the component, the
maximum allowable leak rate, and the smallest incremental pressure change that
can be observed on pressure measuring device being used.

Personnel
Personnel performing the leak check should be thoroughly familiar with both the
theoretical and practical aspects of this form of testing and with the operation of
the instrument they are using.

Preparing the Vessels

Make sure the vessel that is going to be tested is empty and cleaned before the
test.

Have operations mechanics close the vessel(s) and install correct gaskets as
needed and apply proper torque.
Pressurize the vessel(s) with Air or Nitrogen up to the desired pressure.
Where available, install a tree with a Check Valve to protect the air or
nitrogen systems.
Close the air/nitrogen source and let the gas remain in the vessel for 30
minutes.
If the pressure does not hold, need to Bubble Test the flanges/welds to see
where the gas is leaking out.

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