Leakage Tightness Testing Using Thermal Inertia Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leak tightness testing methods for containment vessels, such as hydrogen cooled generators, are lengthy due to the need for stabilization of pressure and temperature, often taking over 24 hours, and are influenced by ambient temperature variations, which can lead to false measurement results and prolonged outage times during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A leakage tightness testing system that includes an external reference vessel with insulative material matching the thermal inertia of the test vessel, coupled with a differential pressure sensor and temperature sensors, to stabilize and compare pressures and temperatures, thereby reducing the impact of ambient temperature fluctuations and shortening the testing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the containment vessel is filled with testing fluid and allowed to stabilize before testing, then measurement accuracy is improved, but testing duration increases to over 24 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by pre-heating or pre-cooling the testing fluid to match the containment vessel's internal temperature, eliminating thermal gradients that cause pressure oscillations. This allows the system to reach equilibrium faster, reducing stabilization time from hours to minutes while maintaining measurement accuracy through controlled temperature parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-conditioning the testing fluid with heating or cooling equipment before introduction into the containment vessel. This preliminary temperature adjustment ensures that when the fluid is introduced, minimal thermal stabilization time is required, thereby reducing overall testing duration without compromising measurement precision
2Device complexity
If ambient temperature variations are allowed to affect the testing process, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to false results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal insulation layer between the containment vessel and the ambient environment. This insulation layer acts as a mediator that blocks external temperature variations from affecting the internal testing conditions, ensuring measurement reliability while maintaining relative system simplicity by using passive insulation rather than active temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a thermally inert environment within the containment vessel by insulating it from ambient temperature fluctuations. This inert thermal environment prevents external temperature variations from causing pressure changes, thereby ensuring reliable leakage measurements without requiring complex active temperature compensation systems
3Measurement precision
If the stabilization period is extended to ensure equilibrium, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to prolonged outage time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the testing fluid to match the containment vessel's internal temperature before testing begins. This parameter matching eliminates thermal equilibration requirements, allowing pressure equilibrium to be reached rapidly and enabling accurate leakage measurements to be taken in minutes rather than hours, thereby improving maintenance productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary temperature conditioning of the testing fluid using heating or cooling equipment before the actual leakage test. This preliminary action ensures that when the testing fluid is introduced into the containment vessel, no extended stabilization period is needed, allowing quick and accurate measurements that increase maintenance throughput
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for faster stabilization and reduced testing time, providing accurate and efficient leak tightness verification, thereby minimizing outage duration and improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an insulative material layer at least partially covering the external reference vessel. The insulative material layer is configured to approximately match a thermal inertia characteristic of the external reference vessel to the thermal inertia characteristic of the test vessel
Implementation Method 2
The external reference vessel is coupled in flow communication with a first inlet port of a differential pressure sensor, and said test vessel is coupled in flow communication with a second inlet port of the differential pressure sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A leakage tightness testing system (200) and a method for checking a tightness of a test vessel (100) having a test vessel internal volume (314,304) and a test vessel thermal inertia characteristic are provided. The leakage tightness testing system (200) includes an external reference vessel (206) coupled in flow communication to the test vessel (100). The external reference vessel (206) includes an external reference vessel volume that includes an insulative material layer at least partially covering the external reference vessel (206). The insulative material layer is configured to approximately match a thermal inertia characteristic of the external reference vessel (206) to the thermal inertia characteristic of the test vessel (100). The leakage tightness testing system (200) also includes a leakage testing device (202) coupled in flow communication to the test vessel (100) and the external reference vessel (206). The leakage testing device (202) includes a leakage sensor (216).