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A leak quantification method using sulfur hexafluoride as tracer gas
V Vishnu Karthik1, Andrew R McFarland
1Aerosol Research Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3123, USA.
Health Physics
|May 29, 2004
Summary
A new technique using sulfur hexafluoride accurately measures leakage in nuclear industry devices. This method confirms that filter holders and air monitors have minimal leakage, well below current standards.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Engineering
- Environmental Monitoring
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Filter holders and continuous air monitors are crucial in the nuclear industry.
- Minimizing leakage in these devices is essential for accurate sampling and monitoring.
- Existing standards address significant leakage but may not cover lower, more critical levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a technique for quantifying low-level leakage in nuclear industry sampling devices.
- To assess the sealing integrity of continuous air monitors and filter holders.
- To evaluate the adequacy of current leakage standards.
Main Methods:
- Utilized sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as a tracer gas.
- Employed dynamic flow conditions for testing devices.
- Measured leak rates under vacuum and positive pressure (±2.49 kPa) at 56.6 L/min.
Main Results:
- Leakage rates for filter holders were below 0.007% of the nominal flow rate.
- Leakage rates for continuous air monitors were below 0.2% of the nominal flow rate.
- All tested devices demonstrated leakage well within the ANSI standard limit of 5%.
Conclusions:
- The developed SF6 tracer gas technique effectively quantifies low leakage rates.
- Current ANSI standards for leakage may be too high given achievable low values.
- The methodology can be applied to improve leakage assessment in various sampling and analytical instruments.