The Practical Application of

Tracer Gas Leak Detection

for Air Cooled Condensers

ACC Users Group

October 4-6, 2016

Andrew H. Leavitt
Conco Services Corp.

2016 Conco Services Corp.

 Tracer Gas Leak Detection

Focusing On:
Equipment / Sample Set-up

Air in-leakage indicators

ACC specific challenges

2
 Inspections / Methodology

Routine / Annual / Commissioning

Before and/or after outage

High backpressure, dissolved O2, Continuous use of

hogger

Advantages of using helium as a tracer gas over other

methods

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Helium Mass Spec

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 Analyzer

Analyzer Set-Up in Vehicle

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Off-Gas Measurement

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Rotometer

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ACC / Maalaea

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Pipeline

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Pipeline

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Debris

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High Pressure Seal

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Gland Seal Drain / Trap

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Crossover Bellows Leak

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 Crack

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Leakage Back Through Hogger
Exhaust when Isolated

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Leak Under Insulation

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Insulation Removed

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WOW!

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Bypass Leak

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Circumferential Crack

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Circumferential Crack

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Base Weld Leaks

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Top of Tube Leaks

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First Tube Weld Leaks on Either Side
of Bundle Welds - Left

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First Tube Weld Leaks on Either Side
of Bundle Welds - Right

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Extensions

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Extensions

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 Stress Cracking
After Temporary Repairs

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Cut Outs

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6 Weld Crack

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Lots of Possibilities

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Leak Location

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Pinhole Leak

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Fan Room Shooting

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Tube Leak and Weld Leak

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Duct Weld Leak

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Rupture Disc Leak

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Leak on Bundle where It Was
Welded to Exhaust Duct

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 Leak Directly on
Exhaust Duct Weld

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Exhaust Bellows Leak

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2 Dephleg Indications

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Crack on Elbow

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Crack on Elbow

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Burst Tubes Due to Freezing

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Creative Leak Repairs

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Expanding Foam

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Questions?

The leak is
up here!

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