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TAPIR HL 1102 A | TAPIR HL 2216 A | |
|---|---|---|
Minimum detectable leakage rate for helium (spray test) | 5 · 10-13 Pa · m³/s | 5 · 10-13 Pa · m³/s |
Minimum detectable leakage rate for helium (sniffing leak detection) | 1 · 10-8 Pa · m³/s | 5 · 10-10 Pa · m³/s |
Usage | portable | industrial |
Pumping speed of backing pump (at 50 Hz) | 1.7 m3/h | 15 m3/h |
Detectable gases | 4He; 3He; H2 | |
A vacuum leak is an unintended or unwanted opening in a vacuum system. It allows air or other gases to enter or exit the vacuum system. The amount of air or gas that leaks out of a vacuum system is expressed as the leakage rate. Leakage rates depend on several factors, including the size and number of openings, gas type and pressure differences between the inside and outside of the system.
There are two types of vacuum leaks:
Vacuum leaks occur due to various reasons. These include issues like faulty or old seals that have become porous, damaged components, or improper installation of vacuum equipment.
There is no average size of a vacuum leak, it can range from microscopic to large tears, depending on what caused it. The size of a vacuum leak can be determined by measuring the leakage rate, which is the amount of process gas or air that escapes from the system per second. Most technical leaks are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Helium leak detectors, like our TAPIR, provide the most accurate method for detecting and quantifying small vacuum leaks.
There are different ways to detect leakage with our TAPIR. The so-called spray test is suitable for components under vacuum. And the sniffing leak detection for components under pressure. The means of detection is the tracer gas helium or hydrogen.
The test methods are easy to perform and deliver accurate results, making TAPIR the perfect addition to your vacuum process.
Figure 1: Spray test
Figure 1: Spray test
Figure 2: Sniffing leak detection test
Figure 2: Sniffing leak detection test
Figure 3: Integral test at atmospheric pressure
Figure 4: Integral test of objects which are enclosed in vacuum
Figure 3: Integral test at atmospheric pressure
Figure 4: Integral test of objects which are enclosed in vacuum
On the other hand, integral spray tests are performed under vacuum. The test object is connected to the leak detector and placed inside a vessel (3). To ensure precise test conditions and accurate results, the vessel is evacuated and filled with a defined quantity of helium. If there is a leak, then helium will penetrate the test object due to the difference in pressure. The leak detector measures the amount of helium inside the test object and determines the leakage rate.
Yes, we do. Contact us to arrange a leak detection service appointment. Our service experts are happy to help!
Spray test and sniffing leak detection are the two most common leak detection tests that use the tracer gas helium or hydrogen.
The spray test is the ideal test method for components under vacuum. This measurement principle has the highest sensitivity of all available methods. Helium or hydrogen is sprayed onto the outer surface of the test object. In case of a leakage, the incoming molecules are drawn in by the integrated turbomolecular vacuum pump of TAPIR together with its backing pump. They finally end up inside an analyzer cell. This cell detects the tracer gas atoms.
The sniffing leak detection is the perfect method for components under pressure. A test object is pressurized with helium or hydrogen. A sniffer probe, which is connected to our TAPIR, is then slowly and systematically guided over the object. In the event of a leak, escaping tracer gas atoms are detected, and the leak can be localized precisely.
Qualitative leak detection initially only determines whether or not there is a large leak in the system under investigation. This is already possible from an inlet pressure of 100 mbar with the Busch TAPIR HL 2216 A. As the inlet pressure decreases, typically at 25 mbar, leak detectors are able not only to detect leaks but also to quantify them. This means that the size of a leak can be accurately determined based on the leakage rate.
In a pressure decay test, also known as a vacuum decay test, a pressure vessel is filled with air until a target pressure is reached. Then the loss (decay) of that pressure is measured over a set period of time. On the other hand, there are several types of vacuum leak testing. For example, specialized devices such as our TAPIR leak detector can conduct two types of tests utilizing either tracer gas helium or hydrogen for detection. Vacuum leak testing offers quicker results compared to pressure decay testing and is also less sensitive to external factors such as temperature variations. Thus, the results are also more accurate.
The spray test is the ideal test method for components under vacuum. This measurement principle has the highest sensitivity of all available methods. Helium or hydrogen is sprayed onto the outer surface of the test object. In case of a leakage, the incoming molecules are drawn in by the integrated turbomolecular vacuum pump of TAPIR together with its backing pump. They finally end up inside an analyzer cell. This cell detects the tracer gas atoms.
The sniffing leak detection is the perfect method for components under pressure. A test object is pressurized with helium or hydrogen. A sniffer probe, which is connected to our TAPIR, is then slowly and systematically guided over the object. In the event of a leak, escaping tracer gas atoms are detected, and the leak can be localized precisely.
Both test methods are easy to perform and deliver accurate results.
