1. Water leak locating with the hydrogen method

2. Leak locating on water distribution system
Why
How
What
Water Leak Locating

3. Why use tracer gas for water leak detection?
Water losses (10% – 30%)
Traditional methods not always good enough
Plastic pipes
Smaller Leaks
Noisy Environments
Water Leak Locating

4. Why Hydrogen? The lightest of all molecules
Inexpensive Standard Gas Mix 95%N2/5%H2
Lowest viscosity of all gases (easy to fill, evacuate and dissipate)
Low background (0,5 ppm)
Environmentally friendly
Safe, non flammable, non-corrosive (when diluted 5% in N2)
Non toxic – non corrosive
Water Leak Locating

5. Why use hydrogen for water leak detection?
Can be used in both empty AND “live pipe” (pipe in service)
Very accurate leak detection
Inexpensive tracer gas 5%H2/95%N2 ( < 9€/m3 )
Standard gas mix from most suppliers
Hydrogen a renewable resource
Water Leak Locating

6. Main steps for hydrogen leak locating
Locate the pipe
Water Leak Locating

7. Main steps for hydrogen leak locating
Locate the pipe
Inject the gas
Water Leak Locating

8. Main steps for hydrogen leak locating
Locate the pipe
Inject the gas
Check that gas has reached the entire length
Water Leak Locating

9. Main steps for hydrogen leak locating
Locate the pipe
Inject the gas
Check that gas has reached the entire length
Wait for the gas to surface (average 0,5 – 2 h)
Water Leak Locating

10. Main steps for hydrogen leak locating
Locate the pipe
Inject the gas
Check that gas has reached the entire length
Wait for the gas to surface
Locate the Leak
Water Leak Locating

11. Main steps for hydrogen leak locating
Locate the pipe
Inject the gas
Check that gas has reached the entire length
Wait for the gas to surface
Locate the Leak
Water Leak Locating

12. Locating leaks on empty pipes
+ Faster gas distribution
+ Faster and/or earlier leak indication on the surface
+ Easier gas injection
- Service interruption
- Higher gas consumption
- Limited time for leak locating
Water Leak Locating

13. Locating leaks on live pipes (in service)
+ No service interruption
+ Lower gas consumption
+ Unlimited time for leak locating
- Slower gas distribution
- Slower leak indication on the surface
- Demands more attention to gas injection
Water Leak Locating

14. What to use for water leak detection
Sensistor XRS9012 Hydrogen Leak Detector
Proprietary sensor technology: high sensitivity, high selectivity
Light weight: 2,5 kg
No maintenance, no moving parts
Waterproof
13 hours autonomy
Allows for leak detection on wet surfaces
Water Leak Locating

15. Sensistor XRS9012 – accessories
Surface Probe 8612
For leaks detection on varying surfaces
Ground Probe 8212
For leak detection on tough environments such as gravel, snow clay and sand
Hand Probe Extension P12
Easier to use the hand probe at ground level – to extend its reach
Water Leak Locating

16. Sensistor XRS9012 – accessories
Wheel Unit M12
Accessory to for leak detection on large surfaces
Duct Probe 8712
For leak detection on ducted telephone cables
Hand Probe, H21
Standard Accessory to the XRS9012
Earphone
For noisy environment
Water Leak Locating

17. Yes it leaks… but where?
Water Leak Locating