helium leak detection

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Helium is easily the most preferred choice like a tracer gas with regards to detecting vacuum leaks. Helium leak detection or Helium Mass Spectrometer Leak Detection (HMSLD) finds out and measures how big a leak in high and ultra-high vacuum systems. How can the task happen? Firstly, you set up involving the test area as well as the leak detector. The helium enter with the leak (if any), and the detector measures and displays the partial pressure inside the system.

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Following will be the major the different parts of the detector:

 A spectrometer which discovers the mass of helium
 A pump which vacates the rest area
 A vacuum system which sustains pressure inside the spectrometer
 An amplifier which monitors the output signal
 Valves
 Controls and power supplies

Causes of Using Helium in Vacuum Leak Detection

So, what is the big secret? How come helium the "go to" gas with regards to detecting vacuum leaks? Below are a few with the significant reasons:

#1. Safe: Helium is protected to utilize. It isn't just inert and non-toxic, but in addition non-reactive and inflammable. It really is widely used in space exploration and deep-sea diving. However, addititionally there is one potent threat. Great helium could cause asphyxiation, but it's unlikely to occur during vacuum leak testing.

#2. Small Presence: The amount of helium in out atmosphere is quite small. Precisely, it is 5.24 x10-4% with the atmosphere. Because of such small existence of this gas in our atmosphere, it becomes specific that the helium detected in the test is the one which gets designed by the detector.

#3. Small Molecules: From the noble gases, helium has got the smallest and lightest molecule besides hydrogen. While hydrogen is both flammable and reactive, helium is quite safe to use. Most importantly, the lower molecular weight of helium allows the gas circulation with the tiniest of leaks.

#4. Easily Distinguishable: The helium leak detector is really a special device which could affect the direction of ions using a magnetic field. It becomes possible for the unit to detect the helium ions for his or her acute mass properties. vacuum leak detection

Types of Helium Leak Detection

You can find primarily two methods used in leak testing process. They are the next:

Spray Probe Method: This technique offers the highest sensitivity. The vacuum system that requires a leak check gets directly associated with the helium leak detector. Firstly, the helium gas is externally following the within the system gets emptied up to a desired level. In case there is any leak, the helium passes in and gets detected immediately.

Sniffer Probe Method: This method is much more flexible compared to the spray probe method. However, a couple of seconds offers a moderate level of sensitivity. Within this method, helium gets purged through the vacuum system that requires a leak check. As helium is seven times lighter than atmospheric air, it starts escaping immediately with the leaks (or no).