The remedy is to plug the leaking pipe(s)
How to detect it:
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
3) mass and flow balances, if you put in 200 kg/hr in a heatexchanger and getting out 180 kg/hr, there will be 20 kg/hr more on the other side.
Regards Steven van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr