55825

-------------------------------------1. Introduction.
Leaks can be traced by using ammonia as a tracer and allowing it to react
~. th

a developer. A leak will show up by change of colour of the developer.

~Suitable

developers are ammonia sensitive paper, paint or spray.

The helium test is more sensitive than the ammonia test, but the ammonia
test is preferred for its performance in moist spaces, where the helium
test just does not work.
The helium test shall be done before the pressure test.
the ammonia test shall be done preferable after the pressure test.
The sensitivity of the ammonia test is greater than that achieved in a
freon test; also the presence of freon at higher temperatures (e.g. in
case of welding) forms chlorides which might lead to stress-corrosion
cracking of stainless steel.
No te: bar is understood to mean the absolute pressure.
2.Teat methods.
The ammonia test can be applied in two different ways,depending on the
particular circumstances:
2.1 Vacuum method
2.2 Pressure method

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2.1 Vacuum method

This method is based on the use of pure amoonia and may be applied to
spaces that a re not too large, the air within which can be evacuated
down to app r oximatel y 70 millibar. The method is particulary suitable
for loose liner vessels, where the test pressure must be not too high
in ord er t o avoid buckling of the liner.
2.2 Pressure method
This method is based on the use of a mixture of nitrogen and about 15 % by
volume of ammonia.It is applied when large spaces have to be filled, e.g.
to check tube to tubesheet welds and a vacuum less than 70 millibar is not
permitted.

In order to avoid explosion hazards, spaces must first be purged With

nitrogen bef ore ammonia is admitted.(explosion limits of ammonia in air
are 15 and 29

Yo

by volume)

Do not use copper or copper alloys for parts coming in contact with
ammonia.

3. Cleani ng
Before the ammonia t est is started, the surface on which the developer is
to be applied must be carefully cleaned with a detergent or a solvent and
dried.
This is to remove oil, grease and alkaline substances (welding slag) to
avoid misleading detection.
4.Safety
Fo r safety reasons this specification should be completed by the person
and/or company performing the test and this should be done in accordance
with local regulations and laws. The recommandations are therefore by no
mean. complete and the relevant regulations should be studied.

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S.Description of test procedures.

S.l.Vacuum method
-Make connections in accordance with either figure 1 or 2.
If there are more than two leakdetection holes per liner section, all
other holes may be connected to the vacuuc pump. However, it is also
possible to use only one hole and to plug the others.
-Evacuate the air between pressure shell and liner with the vacuum pump
until a pressure of 70 millibar is reached.
-Supply gaseous ammonia until it emerge8 from the outlet of the vacuum
pump.
-Stop the vacuum pump and continue to supply ammonia.
-Open the valve in the line to the U-tube as soon as the pressure becomes
atmospheric.
-Now the ammonia pressure may be increased to 1.03 bar.
Note: take care to ensure that no liquid ammonia enters the equipment. For
this reason, the ammonia cylinder should be positioned vertically and
ammonia should be admitted only gradually via a pressure reducing valve.

o.:.,~u Ll.~

LeoL Iv.

"."0"".",

L\,e

.""I'VU""

dW"i..~

VH)' .. mall leaks

wl1~

be rather long. about 10-12 hours. Therefore, :lpply the developer to the
weld seams inside the equipment only during the last two hours of the test.
Check for leaking ammonia during the response time.
Note: before entering the vessel adequate safety precautions should be
taken.
-Upon completion of the test remove the ammonia by means of the vacuum pump
(U-tube valve to be closed), the outlet of. the pump running to a safe
location or into a tray filled with water.
-Disconnect the 3t1l111onia' cylinder and admit air.
When all ammonia is removed stop and disconnect the vacuum pump.

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5

5. 2.'Pt:easure met;hod
- Make connections in accordance with either figut:e 3 or 4.
-Rais e the pressure around the tubes with nitrogen to 3 bar and
depr essurize . Repeat this procedure so as to be sure that the ammonia
pe r centag e is outside the explosion range.
-Raise t he pressure to 2 bat: by means of nitrogen.
-Supply ammonia until the pressure is 2.3 bar.
Note: take care to ensure that no liquid ammonia enters the equipment. For
this reaSon the ammonia cylinder should be positioned vertically and
ammonia should be admitted only gradually via a pressure reducing valve .
-Given the low test pt:essure, the response time for very small leaks will
be rather long, about 10-12 hours. Therefore apply the developer during
the last two hours of the test. If ammonia sensitive copying paper is used
and th e tubesheet has protuding tube ends, it is not possible to localize
leaks round the tubes; when an indication is found, the developer should
be applied ca refully to the area in question to localize the leak more
accurately.
Check for leaking ammonia during the response time.
Note: before entering the equipment adequate safety precautions should be
taken.
-Upon completion of the test, the equipment should be depressurized by
means of a tube dipped into a tray containing running water. Open the

-When the pres sut:e has reached a value of 1 bat:, removal of ammonia should
be continued by purging with nitrogen so that the pressure is raised to
3 bar and dep rssurize; repeat thiB to ensure that the ammonia concentration
is out side the explosion range,
the ammonia haB been removed

follo~ed

by purging

~ith

air untill all

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6

6.Developers
The f ollowing developers have been succesfully in the past.
6 . 1.Ammoni3 sensitive copying paper.
6.2.Ammonia sensitive paint
Supplier
Societe Sud Me.rine
41 Boulevard Gay Lussac
13309 Marseille, Cedex 3

Fr3nce
tel. 989025
telex 41679
6.3.Ammonia detecting spray
Supplier
American Gas and Chemical Inc.
5 Tenakill Park Cresskill
New Jersey 0726

USA
tel. (201 ) 569-52000
6.4.Ammonia

sensi~

p~\ ste

the following recipe produces a makeshift substitute which may be used

in the abs ence of the above mentioned products.
1 dm3 water
150 gram barium sulphate
50 em3 phenolpht3line (1.5

r.

solution in spirit)

20 gram cellulose wall papering powder.

Colour change: white to purple.
The sensitivit y decreases after 2-3 hours, due to pasta dr ying out. p",~~ P'
r;me

3-4-

er

)ollli)

hl"<;'

55825
7

FIG 2

VACUUM METHOD
... ..i'

"

...
1

e",

,'".

q> ~
'f-

r- ....

Q-

:.

II'

Q,

l)~

II

.. I

J:J
~

'-,

~>

r-:-)

::>

r-I-<
cVI

....'"
0

:.::
....

...

/
,

t--

-.....
WORKSHOP SITUATION .

__ 6

-t. ., ,_ , .

:,~

. .

,_,_,.;:OJ

55825
8

FIG 1

VACUUM METHOD

U tube

.--

leaking liner
section
'--

ammonia

v~cuum

pump

PLANT SITUATION

-.

....ater

,'=, .'_

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9

FIG 3

PRESSURE METHOD

c: -

~./

'-

CE
a...

J~
,

,[::

It

~V~V ' ~~M

,

, ,

"c

...

-'"
AI

1
,

~./

""

.,

,-)

'
....'"

, ,

, ,

)I

(
,

' v.-

I-

.I
7

"

I '~'"e
'"

., ,
,

a...

,
,

, ,

I
t:( V V ~ V V V v/

l/

WORKSHOP SITUATION

55825
10

FIG 4

PRESSURE METHOD
'-17~-

-~~ -

?- ~ 1/V

'

PI

/ VJ"V

' ,I

,..., ....

,...,...,

L--

l.-

I,

ammonia

I
I

nitrogen

' , ,

. , ,
,

~
r/

'/

r/ V

V V V '/

. .,ELANT SITUATION

runninq ',later
A

..,.".-