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Helium Leak
Testing Reference
Personnel
Qualification Page
Completed Projects
Helium leak
testing is one of the
most widely used methods of nondestructive testing in use today.
Current applications span a diverse field of products and
industry. Bio-tech companies use helium leak detectors to
helium leak test implantable
medical devices such as pacemakers
to insure that the outer packages are protected from bodily
fluids and to protect patients from possible contamination from
leaking batteries and other materials. Automobile manufacturers use helium leak
testing technology to test items such as air
bag initiators, radiators and air conditioning units.
Semiconductor fabs are littered with helium leak detectors used
to leak test process equipment.
Our company, MediVac
Technologies uses helium leak testing equipment to leak test
everything from steam turbines
and condensers used in power generation to space simulation
vacuum systems used to test satellite components and rocket
motors. Although
mass spectrometers can be traced as far back as the turn of the
century the helium leak detector mass spectrometer was developed during the Manhattan
Project. The gaseous diffusion method used to enrich uranium-235
required leak tightness far beyond available means. Project
scientists were able to improve upon current mass spectrometer
designs and eventually developed what is still the basic formula
for most helium leak detectors.
Click on the image above to download a very
informative leak detection primer provided courtesy of Alcatel
Vacuum Products.
(Alcatel is the premier leak detector and vacuum equipment
manufacturer. They offer a wide range of helium leak detectors,
vacuum pumps and other high vacuum equipment.)
Helium leak testing is used
throughout industry to locate leaks in even the most complex
pressure, vacuum and hermetic systems and enclosures. The following
are just a few examples of the most common uses of helium leak
testing:
Steam Turbine and Condenser Air
Inleakage Helium Leak Testing
- Quickly locate even the smallest vacuum leaks on the low pressure
side of any steam turbine or condenser. Helium leak testing is widely recognized
as the superior alternative to the ultrasonic, smoke, and our
favorite, the shaving cream method of vacuum leak testing steam
turbine condensers.
Chemical and Plastics Production - Oxygen and other
contaminants entering through leaks in flanges or broken welds can
effect many manufacturing processes and result in lower quality and
efficiency or totally unusable product. Helium leak testing of multi floor
vacuum distillation towers, reactors and associated plumbing and
pumps is easily accomplished utilizing helium leak testing.
Heat Exchangers - Helium leak testing large
tubular heat exchangers can be expensive and time consuming. With
the helium leak testing method thousands of tubes can be scanned in
a short period of time when compared to some of the other methods of
examination. Re-testing after
plugging or other repairs are performed can be accomplished
immediately. MediVac stocks many types and sizes of tube plugs.
Just let us know the gauge, diameter and tube material and our crew
will have them available during the test.
Underground Pipelines With helium leak testing we can
locate leaks in underground pipes to within a few feet keeping
excavation to a minimum. Due to the versatility of the helium leak
testing method virtually any pressure or vacuum system can be be
tested with a high degree of accuracy.
Our
experience spans a diverse field of industry and technology. From
implantable medical devices to petroleum
tanks and pipelines. We
can provide solutions for all of your helium leak detection needs.
In the field, in house or at your facility. MediVac will perform the
testing for you or provide you with the appropriate equipment and
training to do the job yourself.
The following links may help answer question
regarding helium leak testing. This article discusses
helium leak testing at elevated temperatures. This article
also by NDT.net discusses the
industrial applications of helium leak testing. This FDA
article discusses hermeticity of sealed electronic components and
helium
leak testing. 
www.medivactech.com
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