A method and apparatus for detecting a leak in a heat exchanger by introducing a test gas into part of the exchanger and detecting gas leaks into other parts of the device.

摘要

A method and apparatus for detecting a leak between two separate fluid paths of a plate heat exchanger comprising: sealing or blocking a test section including both liquid or gaseous or vapour paths; evacuating both fluid paths to the same pressure of 0.1 bar or less with a vacuum pump prior to introducing a test gas mixture at a pressure of 4 bar into one fluid path so that a pressure differential is created between the first fluid path and the second fluid path, and testing for the presence of the test gas mixture in the second fluid path to determine or detect the presence of a leak between the fluid paths. A repeated controlled flow of a tracer gas mixture is introduced into the second fluid path to allow sampling for the test gas mixture. The test gas mixture consists of hydrogen and an inert gas. The test section is drained, cleaned and dried before testing. The second fluid path of the test section is evacuated from one end and the tracer gas is entered into the fluid path from the other end.