As said, depending on the fluids, you could analyze for the presence of the high pressure fluid in the low pressure side. I've also seen markers used to find out which bundle in a train of heat exchangers is leaking. For the case I heard about they were radioactive markers but there isn't any reason you couldn't use a non-radioactive material as long as it was compatible with your process and detectible at low concentrations.
As far as what to do, if it was only one tube and isn't affecting your process, you'd do nothing. If it was affecting the process, plugging the leaking tube(s) is common.
1) Monitoring process conditions, a simple way is to record the:
inlet and outlet temperature of fluid A
inlet and outlet temperature of fluid B
pressure drops across the heat exchanger of both fluids.
Trending these parameters over time, will indicate when abnormal conditions arise. An increase in pressure drop can indicate fauling of tubes, this also will change your temperature perfil of the fluids.
If you are going to put these things in a database, ask your self "who will feed the monster", this is only effective when on a daily basis the data is collected an analyzed, so you can build up a history.
2)Another aproach is Ultrasound diagnostics. We currently use it for steam trap and leak detection, and also for monitoring some watercooled steam condensors. Check out
Plug tube with a metal plug on channel head, and bever head side. I do not think it is a U tube bundle, else the steam should be on the tube side. The manufacturer should be able to give the size and shape of the plug. Steven van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr
Are you talking about NaOH? Then maybe a pH check of the condensate would help? I would assume that the pH in the condensate would be high if you had leaking NaOH into the steam
