Water leak locating with the hydrogen method

Leak locating on water distribution system Why How What Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Why use tracer gas for water leak detection? Water losses (10% – 30%) Traditional methods not always good enough Plastic pipes Smaller Leaks Noisy Environments Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Why Hydrogen? The lightest of all molecules Inexpensive Standard Gas Mix 95%N2/5%H2 Lowest viscosity of all gases (easy to fill, evacuate and dissipate) Low background (0,5 ppm) Environmentally friendly Safe, non flammable, non-corrosive (when diluted 5% in N2) Non toxic – non corrosive Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Why use hydrogen for water leak detection? Can be used in both empty AND “live pipe” (pipe in service) Very accurate leak detection Inexpensive tracer gas 5%H2/95%N2 ( < 9€/m3 ) Standard gas mix from most suppliers Hydrogen a renewable resource Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Main steps for hydrogen leak locating Locate the pipe Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Main steps for hydrogen leak locating Locate the pipe Inject the gas Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Main steps for hydrogen leak locating Locate the pipe Inject the gas Check that gas has reached the entire length Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Main steps for hydrogen leak locating Locate the pipe Inject the gas Check that gas has reached the entire length Wait for the gas to surface (average 0,5 – 2 h) Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Main steps for hydrogen leak locating Locate the pipe Inject the gas Check that gas has reached the entire length Wait for the gas to surface Locate the Leak Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Main steps for hydrogen leak locating Locate the pipe Inject the gas Check that gas has reached the entire length Wait for the gas to surface Locate the Leak Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Locating leaks on empty pipes + Faster gas distribution + Faster and/or earlier leak indication on the surface + Easier gas injection - Service interruption - Higher gas consumption - Limited time for leak locating Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Locating leaks on live pipes (in service) + No service interruption + Lower gas consumption + Unlimited time for leak locating - Slower gas distribution - Slower leak indication on the surface - Demands more attention to gas injection Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

What to use for water leak detection Sensistor XRS9012 Hydrogen Leak Detector Proprietary sensor technology: high sensitivity, high selectivity Light weight: 2,5 kg No maintenance, no moving parts Waterproof 13 hours autonomy Allows for leak detection on wet surfaces Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Sensistor XRS9012 – accessories Surface Probe 8612 For leaks detection on varying surfaces Ground Probe 8212 For leak detection on tough environments such as gravel, snow clay and sand Hand Probe Extension P12 Easier to use the hand probe at ground level – to extend its reach Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Sensistor XRS9012 – accessories Wheel Unit M12 Accessory to 8612 - for leak detection on large surfaces Duct Probe 8712 For leak detection on ducted telephone cables Hand Probe, H21 Standard Accessory to the XRS9012 Earphone For noisy environment Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06

Yes it leaks… but where? Water Leak Locating 2013-11-06