Tracer Gas Testing
A 95:5 nitrogen-hydrogen gas mixture is injected into an isolated pipe section. The gas escapes through leaks and rises to the surface for detection by a sensitive gas sniffer.
How Tracer Gas Testing Works
Tracer gas testing is the definitive method for locating leaks that acoustic and thermal methods cannot find. The pipe section is isolated, drained, and filled with a 95% nitrogen / 5% hydrogen gas mixture. The hydrogen molecules are the smallest of any element and will escape through even microscopic leaks. The gas migrates through the surrounding soil or building materials and rises to the surface, where a sensitive electronic gas sniffer detects it. The technician follows the gas concentration gradient to the point of highest concentration, which is directly above the leak. This method is particularly effective for plastic pipes, low-pressure systems, and leaks in challenging environments.
Applications in BC
- Plastic pipe leak detection that acoustic methods miss
- Low-pressure and static system leak detection
- Geothermal ground loop leak location
- Fire suppression line testing
- Radiant floor heating loop leaks
Advantages
- Detects pinhole leaks undetectable by other methods
- Works on any pipe material including plastic
- Effective at any depth
- No interference from background noise
- GPS-accurate surface marking
Limitations
- Requires pipe isolation and draining
- More time-consuming setup than acoustic methods
- Higher cost than basic acoustic survey
- Not suitable for live pressurized systems
Equipment Used
- • Sewerin GasTracer 2 gas sniffer
- • Gutermann Hydrogen H2 sniffer
- • Sensistor Sentrac hydrogen leak detector
- • Inficon GasCheck G3 helium detector
- • Agilent hydrogen generator
Professional Tracer Gas Testing in BC
LeakInspections.ca — a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca. Call 604-239-9934.