Condenser tube inspections are conducted with the unit on-line. When an operating unit experiences contamination of the hotwell condensate due to cooling water intrusion from a condenser tube failure, it is imperative the source of leakage be identified immediately. American Efficiency Services technique and experience can identify most failures within one operating shift of gaining access to the suspected water box. This includes the identification, plugging, and retesting of the tube bundle.

To date, identifying condenser tube leaks utilizing helium as a tracer gas, coupled with inspection experience, has proven to be the most cost effective method. Plastic, shaving cream and smoke have all been used in the past to identify condenser tube leaks. These methods have proved successful in identifying very large leaks, but these methods are not very successful for the identification of all leaks. In the past, several shifts/days have been consumed to identify tube leaks. We have seen several situations where numerous tubes were plugged in a specific area in a desperate attempt to return the unit to service “leak free”. Plugging additional tubes reduces the efficiency of the condenser prematurely. Even though the condenser is designed to withstand a certain percentage of plugged tubes, the life expectancy of the condenser will be reduced over time.

In contrast, using helium as a tracer gas is precise and quick so only the tube(s) leaking are plugged and the condenser is back doing it’s job, operating efficiently and making the utility money.

With AMERICAN EFFICIENCY SERVICES’ guarantee that we will find the leak, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.