The principle
The tracer gas, a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, is introduced
into the pipe with the suspected leak. The gas, being the lightest
in the atmosphere and made up of of small molecules, will exit
at the leak and make its way to the surface where it is detected
by the highly sensitive Variotec® 8 gas detector. |
Variotec® 8 - In use
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- The surface over the route of the pipe is searched
for traces of gas using one of a selection of probes
- The VT8 detects gas down down to the lowest levels
of parts per million, allowing you to pinpoint the smallest
traces of gas and also up to the highest concentrations
of volume percent levels (10,000ppm = 1 vol%) which
ensures that you can hone right into the area of interest
without reading overscale
- The large LCD display instantly responds to any changes
in gas levels
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The escaping gas concentration
is displayed both numerically and by a quasi analogue
scale making it very clear where the highest readings
are obtained
The sensor used (there are two to allow more
precise readings)and the measuring scale automatically
switches between the most suitable range but can also
be scaled manually to hone down the area of search |
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Why hydrogen?
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Hydrogen, at 5% in a balance
of nitrogen, is:
- non flammable
- non toxic
- non corrosive
- totally safe
- commonly used as a blanket gas in welding so is cheaply
and readily available from all the standard gas suppliers
- has the smallest and lightest molecules so permeates
all surfaces including concrete, tarmac, block paving
and grass, rising quickly to the surface
- rapidly disperses in air allowing you to hone in quickly
to the source
- unlike helium, which has also been used for some types
of leak detection tracing, hydrogen is renewable and
cheap;helium is finite and expensive
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Variotec 8 locating probes
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- Carpet probes for long stretches of smooth surfaces
- Bell probes which concentrate the gas for localising in
undergrowth or on smooth surfaces such as kitchen floors
- Hand probes both telescopic and flexivle to reach into awkward
areas
- Cone probes for localisation in bar holes you make in the
ground
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Charging and carrying
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- Parts and accessories are stored neatly in the hard
protective carrying case
- The VT8 may be charged directly from a 12 V cigar
lighter socket in a vehicle or from the mains
- The detector can be charged whilst remaining in the
case
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Specifications
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Sample intake: |
Via built-in membrane pump |
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Operating time: |
≈ 8 hours (with pump) |
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Power supply: |
NiCd. Rechargeable |
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Weight: |
1.5 Kg |
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Dimensions (WxHxD): |
129x192x65 mm |
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Operating temperature: |
-10 °C ... +40 °C |
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Storage temperature: |
-25 °C ... +70 °C |
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Protected to: |
IP 54 |
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Calibration: |
Tracer gas |
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