Leak Detection Services
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Air in-leakage negatively impacts plant performance, while tube leaks can cause forced outages costing plants thousands in maintenance and lost productivity. Using advanced tracer gas leak detection technology, Conco technicians can quickly locate sources of leaks within your plant. Conco has been an innovator and leading provider of leak detection services for over 30 years and offers both helium and SF6 tracer gas technology.
Conco crews can detect: • Condenser air in-leakage • Condenser tube leakage • Sources of dissolved oxygen • Stator water system leakage • Main generator leakage Depending on leak characteristics,a determination is made whether to mobilize with the helium mass spectrometer system, the state-of-the-art Conco Fluorotracer™ system, or both. |
Locating Sources of Air In-Leakage
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Locating Circulating Water Tube Leaks
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Conco pioneered the use
of tracer gas technology to locate air in-leakage in power plants. Since 1978, Conco has restored performance to thousands of plants worldwide using exclusive technology. Our technicians are the best in the business with an average of 23+ years experience in the field. They’re knowledgeable of all the components within your vacuum boundary. A typical 500 MW unit can be fully tested in one shift with no need for plant interruption. Our technicians are fully compliant with fossil and nuclear testing procedures and are confined space, first aid and CPR trained. |
Circulating water leaks can result from penetrations through the tube walls,
from joints between the tubesand tubesheet, or from other penetrations between the water box and condenser shell. Contaminants in the circulating water change condensate chemistry, which can cause boiler or steam generator corrosion. Poor water chemistry can also cause stress corrosion cracking of turbine components. Our leak detection specializes in finding tube leaks within main condensers. Our methodical approach, using either helium or SF6 tracer gases, ensures that we find even the smallest leaks. |
Helium Leak Testing Services
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Vacuum Leak Testing Services
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Trained in all aspects of tracer gas leak detection, Conco technicians can use a Helium Mass Spectrometer System to inspect for condenser air in-leakage and/or condenser tube leakage while the unit is running. When the unit is down, they
can test main generators and stator water systems for leakage. Unsurpassed in experience, Conco technicians have mastered the "art" of leak detection. SF6 Leak Testing Services
SF6 has a detectible concentration of one part per ten billion versus helium’s one part per million above background level. The ultra sensitive nature of this tracer gas makes it ideal for finding very small leaks within condenser tubes. Conco pioneered the use of SF6 for power generation leak detection in 1978 and is
the only company to manufacture a continuous sampling SF6 analyzer! Our Fluorotracer analyzer takes full advantage of the detectible concentration of SF6 and can also be used with our handheld SF6-Pak to perform air in-leakage surveys, making it an extremely versatile system. |
Leaking tubes can ruin an entire tube bundle. To avoid costly retubing, these damaged tubes must be identified and plugged. Conco’s hand held Vacuum Leak Detector Gun provides a safe, simple solution to identify leaking tubes in single compartment components with no turbine vacuum. All the Gun requires is compressed air.
To locate leaking tubes, a technician selects a tube to be tested and temporarily plugs the far end. Next, the nozzle of the Vacuum Leak Detector Gun is firmly placed into the open end of the tube, forming an air tight seal. Powered by compressed air, the Vacuum Leak Detector Gun pulls a vacuum in the tube to a desired reading on the gauge. A steady reading on the gauge indicates that the tube does not leak. If the reading on the gauge drops, you have pinpointed a leaking tube. |
