LEAKAGES, MECHANICAL
AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
Logis-Tech
Associates has now introduced the latest generation of portable
ultrasonic detectors and are now selling them worldwide (list of
some satisfied customers). These
ultrasonic detectors serve three main major functions: (i) leak
detection in compressed air, gases and vacuum installations,
steam traps, pipe systems, tanks, etc., (ii) mechanical
detection of faults in bearings, gears, or other mechanical
malfunctions of movable parts, etc. (iii) electrical
detection of arching and corona discharge in electric
systems.
The results
of all of these operations achieves substantial
savings in; energy costs and maintenance costs;
thus reducing the possibility of any uncontrolled production stops
and assists in improving safety.
This
ultrasonic detection equipment has many advantages
and is used for numerous applications,
and is a neccessity for all staff involved in maintenance
programmes and for preventative checks. A practice all companies
in this competitive World should be considering, adopting and implementing.
In
the UK, Energy Efficiency; http://www.energy-efficiency.org.uk
states: "Compressed air ~ a 5 mm diameter hole
in an airline costs around £1,400 per annum".
(As an example; in locating just one, 2.5 mm diameter hole {or 5
x 0.5 mm diameter holes}, has paid for the EP542 ultrasonic detector
set).
In
the U.S.A.; http://www.knowpressure.org
states similar findings: {From the figure below the physical
sizes of diameter holes shown are approximately double in size to
the actual sizes in the field}
There
is several ultrasonic detector sets in the EP range; ,
EP641
ultrasonic air leak detector, EP542 ultrasonic leak detector (with
stethoscope), EP2000 ultrasonic leak detector (with stethoscope),
EP2400
ultrasonic leak detector (with stethoscope) and the EP512 ultrasonic
transmitter. All of these units quickly repay their initial cost
outlay and save companies substantial in-house energy costs as well
as reducing the possibility of any uncontrolled production stops
and the other added benefits.
Logis-Tech
Associates are agents for the complete range of ultrasonic detector
sets; the main sellers are the EP641
ultrasonic air leak detector, EP542
ultrasonic leak detector with stethoscope and the EP2000
ultrasonic leak detector with stethoscope sets combined with the
EP512
ultrasonic
transmitter.
Leak
Detection
Do You
Still think Air is Free !!!
Compressed
air is widely used and an effective propellant for many types of
machines used in various locations within many industries: car industry,
hospital service, laboratories, shipping, heavy engineering plants,
etc. However compressed air (and other gases) are at the same time
a very large cost to a company's budget each year. It is therefore
imperative and sensible to continuously inspect the company’s
air, vacuum or gas installations on a frequent basis.
A
leakage test may prevent more serious and costly problems from occurring
or even show that the installation of a larger compressor is unnecessary
(Please request a Logis-Tech data sheet on the financial (euro)
calculations
on different leak sizes in compressed air installations).
The
ultrasonic equipment consists of a very sensitive listening detector
with a headphone (or an authorised hearing protector) with loudspeaker
connected. The system works by “listening” at a frequency
band that normally is non-audible for humans – from 20 kHz
and upwards (ultrasonic). This is unique as air leaks generate a
lot of ultrasonic.
Ultrasonic
sensors detect the disturbance (Ultrasound: 16 – 100 kHz)
caused by turbulent flow from compressed air or any gas, which is
produced by a leak. These high frequency sounds are heard through
the EP electronic detector and converted into electrically and acoustic
signals, which allows the detection of wasteful leaks. Audible noises
from the surroundings are filtered off so the EP devices can also
be used in noisy areas, when other production equipment is running.
Leak
detection in systems without pressure can be made with an EP512
ultrasonic transmitter, that transmits pulsating ultrasonic, if
so required. The EP 512 ultrasonic transmitter is placed inside
a enclosure/tank to be examined, which is then closed. The user
can then examine the enclosure/tank from the outside and can easily
detect, if any, leaks.
These
ultrasonic detecting devices, are used extensively within many varied
industries for finding leaks in numerous applications.
Steam Traps
& Valves- All Fluid Valves
A major source of energy loss is through leaking steam traps and
valves. Leaking steam traps are tremendously inefficient ...
it's like trying to heat your house with the windows open.
And bad steam traps are surprisingly common, roughly 30% of the
traps in a plant with no trap testing programs will be leaking.
Electrical
Detection
Arcing
and corona discharge in electric systems !!!
When electrical stress
ionizes air molecules around insulators a chemical reaction creates
corrosion of metal parts and breaks down insulating compounds. High
energy at the site of the corona discharge can cause serious damage
to mechanical components and result in unexpected shutdowns and
loss of service to virtually hundreds of thousands of customers.
More serious is the possibility of fire or explosion. In an industrial
plant, an electrical fire or explosion can have compounding effects
dependant on other hazardous and toxic chemicals on site.
Mechanical
Detection
A
machine or another propellant loses its effectiveness if or when
mechanical malfunctions occur. Often this means reduced production
or at the worst an unintended and expensive production stop. It
is therefore imperitive to be able to quickly locate the mechanical
malfunction or in some cases to make a systematic monitoring of
essential machine parts (bearings, gears, etc.) to always be able
to make a controlled production stop with all the economical advantages
this entails.
Rolling Element
Bearings
Using ultrasound to identify bearing wear in its early stages can
be a valuable tool toward avoiding major downtime. As internal components
in moving machinery begin to wear, increased friction creates subtle
changes in the ultrasonic sound being generated. These changes in
ultrasound present themselves before other signs like heat or vibration
are noticeable.
