User:Florian733r/sandbox

= Leak detection = Leak detection is used to determine if and in some cases where a leak has occurred in systems which contain fluids (liquids or gases). Methods of detection either detect the leaking fluid (from its specific physical or chemical characteristics) or the physical properties of the leak (pressure difference, presence of a hole...).

Methods specific to the fluids
These methods use the properties of the leaking fluid such as their absorption spectrum, their flammability, their odor or their chemical properties.

Methods relying on the physical properties of the leak
These methods have in common to be largely independent from the fluid type. Most of them use the pressure difference between the container and the environment: such methods include soap spray, hydrostatic testing, acoustic methods, tracer gas, paint. One method that do not use pressure difference is active ultrasonic leak detection.

Soap spray
By spraying a soapy solution, the operator can see if bubbles are forming at the place of the supposed leak. Soapy solution have a reduced surface tension compared to pure water that allow the formation of stable bubbles. This technique is widely spread through out the industry due to its easiness and not requiring expensive tools. It is however very time-consuming when large areas are to be scanned.

Ultrasonic methods
These methods rely on the acoustic emission generated by the turbulences at the vicinity of a leak: the fluid is accelerated through the hole due to the pressure difference and create a system of turbulences in the low pressure area. These turbulences create sounds that are detected by one or multiple microphone of the detector.