Nitrogen+Syngas 331 Sept-Oct 2014
31 October 2014
Problem No. 26: How to find a leak in a liner
High pressure urea synthesis equipment consists of a carbon steel pressure bearing wall, which is protected by a protective layer. Carbamate can corrode carbon steel with a rate of 1000 mm per year. The protective layer can be a loose liner or weld overlay. Loose liners require an accurate and reliable leak detection system in order identify in time that there is a leak in the liner. Once a leak is confirmed, the only advice is to stop the plant and repair the leak. But how can the leak be located? It is not always easy to find a small leak. There are several methods: helium leak test, air soap test, ammonia leak test, etc, but which method works best for small leaks?
