A pneumatic leak detector operates by submerging a nozzle in oil. Airflow from the nozzle results in simultaneous cavitation and atomization of the oil. Microscopic oil droplets form a fog, which is used to detect leaks in closed duct systems. The integrated valve and nozzle includes a stem on one end for air input, the nozzle on the other end for air output, and a check valve between the stem and the nozzle to prevent the backflow of air or oil. The exterior body of the integrated valve and nozzle is a convex body wedge. A smaller concave wedge is cut at the orifice of the nozzle. The critical parameters of the nozzle are its orifice diameter, body wedge angle, orifice cut angle, and orifice cut depth, all of which have been optimized by experimentation to yield maximal fog density.

A method for determining correct performance of a sampling pipe in an aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system. The method includes causing a change in airflow in a sampling pipe of the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system that induces a change in at least one airflow property within the sampling pipe, and detecting an effect of the change in said airflow property. Also disclosed is a method for determining correct performance of an aspirated particle gas sampling system. The method includes determining correct performance of a sampling pipe in the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling and determining correct performance of a detector in the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system, wherein a test fluid is introduced to the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system at or near the detector.

A gas injector apparatus and method for use with a tracer gas airflow measurement system that allows for large, continuous tracer gas flow rates while avoiding operation at very cold temperatures that will damage equipment. The controlled and variable heating of high pressure tracer gas flow before a gas regulator allows all points in the system to remain above freezing, and within a safe temperature range. The system has a tracer gas source and a heater that heats the gas isobarically at high pressure (>100 psi) and the hot gas is expanded across a pressure regulator to a lower working pressure to 30 psi. The gas flow is modulated using a mass flow controller with a high turndown ratio and injected into a bulk fluid flow with an injector.

A method for monitoring and detecting leaks in a pipeline is disclosed. The method is particularly useful in pipelines that are transporting hydrocarbons. Gas enabled photo sensitive particles are fed into the pipeline and when they encounter a leak, change their condition. This change is captured by a detector which transmits the data to an operator that a leak condition exists as well as its location and intensity.

Various embodiments include an offline leak detection system for a turbomachine fuel system. In some embodiments, the leak detection system includes: a fluid supply system fluidly connected to at least one fuel line of the turbomachine, the fluid supply system for delivering a non-flammable fluid to the combustor; a control system operably connected to the fluid supply system, the control system controlling a flow of the non-flammable fluid through the at least one fuel line, and controlling a pressure of the non-flammable fluid in the at least one fuel line to a pressure substantially equal to an operational fuel pressure of the turbomachine; and an optical monitor for determining a presence of the non-flammable fluid on an exterior of the at least one fuel line, the presence of the non-flammable fluid on the exterior of the at least one fuel line indicating a leak.

Method for detecting a leak in a fluid guiding element 16, 18 of a heat exchanging device 12, comprising the following steps: a) Acquiring a cloud of points 44 of the heat exchanging device 12 in a three-dimensional virtual space 48 using a 3D sensor 34, each of said points representing a surface point 46a on the outer surface of the heat exchanging device 12, b) Searching within the cloud of points 44 for structures 50 corresponding to tubes having a predefined outer diameter, c) Searching the obtained structures 50 for an area of interest 52 where the diameter or the direction of the tube changes, d) Once an area of interest 52 is found, determining an approach path 58 for approaching a sniffing probe 22 of a gas leak detector 24 to the area of interest 52 within the cloud of points 44, and e) Physically approaching the sniffing probe 22 to a testing area 20 of the heat exchanging device 12 automatically along the approach path 58, where the testing area 20 corresponds to the area of interest 52 within the cloud of points 44.

In a method of assessing the condition of a tubular member, for example a flexible riser, an inert fluid is flowed from a fluid source through a conduit connected to a laminar flow device, which can determine volumetric and/or mass flow rate of the fluid. The fluid is flowed through the laminar flow device into the riser annulus, and flow continues until the fluid pressure within the annulus stabilises. The volume of fluid flowed into the annulus offers an indication of the integrity of the riser, for example, whether any fluid is present therein.

A method for distinguishing a test gas escaping from a leak in a test object (21) from an interfering gas in the environment of the test object (21) during sniffing leak detection, having the steps: suctioning gas from the environment of the test object (21) in the region of the outer surface of the test object by means of a sniffing tip, which has a suction opening (14), which is connected, for gas conduction, to a sensor (18), which is designed to determine the test gas partial pressure of the test gas in the suctioned gas flow; varying, with periodic repetition, the flow intensity of the suctioned gas flow; setting a total pressure of the suctioned gas at the sensor (18) of at least 80 percent of the total pressure of the gas in the atmosphere (23) surrounding the test object (21); avoiding fluctuations of the total pressure of the suctioned gas at the sensor (18) of more than 10 percent; measuring the test gas partial pressure of test gas contained in the suctioned gas flow by means of the sensor (18); indicating that the test object (21) has a leak if the measured test gas partial pressure has a varying component, the average amplitude of which lies above a threshold value and which follows the variation of the suctioned gas flow.

A leak detection system for a refrigerant circuit is provided. The refrigerant circuit is sealed and circulates a working fluid having a refrigerant (e.g., flammable refrigerant) and an oil. A reducing tag component is solubilized within the refrigerant. The leak detection system also includes a sensor for detecting the tag component if the refrigerant should leak from the refrigerant circuit. The sensor is highly sensitive to the tag component and thus enhanced detection is enabled. The tag component is stable in the working fluid and does not affect the flammability rating or performance of the refrigerant or oil. The tag component is present at a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 35,000 ppm in the refrigerant. Methods of detecting leaks from refrigeration systems are also provided.

A method for monitoring and detecting leaks in a pipeline is disclosed. The method is particularly useful in pipelines that are transporting hydrocarbons. Gas enabled photo sensitive particles are fed into the pipeline and when they encounter a leak, change their condition. This change is captured by a detector which transmits the data to an operator that a leak condition exists as well as its location and intensity.