Detecting Gas Fuel Leaks in Gas Turbine Manifolds

[abeltio]

Hi all,
The question is regarding the manifolds that feed natural gas (gas fuel) into a Gas Turbine.
The system cannot be pressure tested as a closed piping system because it is connected to the gas fuel nozzles.
What I am trying to locate (heard about it but never located any supplier) is a service company or equimpent supplier for the following:
A SYSTEM TO INJECT SOME GAS INTO THE GAS FUEL STREAM TO DETECT LEAKS USING THE GAS AS LEAK TELLTALE (FLUORESCENT? VISIBLE WITH UV LIGHT?)
ULTRASONIC DETECTION IS ANOTHER POSSIBILITY BUT HAVING OVER 100 JOINTS TO CHECK IN A VERY TIGHT PLACE IT MAY NOT BE PRACTICAL.

Thanks in advance for your help lads.
Saludos.
a.

 

[JKEngineer]

albetio -
Ultrasonics should be a good candidate for locating leaks. It can localize them quite well, although your point about tight quarters may be a telling one.
Another possibility is IR. If the gas is at a different temperature than the surroundings, the area of pipe immediately at the leak will show a thermal trace from the leaking gas.
There are also sniffer systems and chemistry based systems that may work. I am not really familiar with them, so can't comment too much more. Helium and SF6 are two that I think are used.
Jack M. Kleinfeld, P.E. Kleinfeld Technical Services, Inc.
Infrared Thermography, Finite Element Analysis, Process Engineering

http://www.KleinfeldTechnical.com

 

[abeltio]

Thanks JKE... good ideas, I was hoping to get some directions regarding possible vendors/service suppliers.

 

[JKEngineer]

abeltio -
You are welcome.

I am an IR service supplier and have access to ultrasonic equipment if that is of interest. There are many others.

UE Systems would be a good source for ultrasound equipment and possibly services, or at least help and advice. Jack M. Kleinfeld, P.E. Kleinfeld Technical Services, Inc.
Infrared Thermography, Finite Element Analysis, Process Engineering

http://www.KleinfeldTechnical.com