Hi Everyone,

A boiler or steam generator is a device used to create steam by applying heat energy to water. Any appliance that is constantly exposed to water is prone to leaks, and steam boilers are no exception. Care and maintenance can go a long way toward preventing leaks, but the corrosive effect of water can only be held off for so long. Leaks can occur at a number of points inside and on the surface of steam boiler machinery, and you can detect them by looking for the presence of several signs and symptoms

The conventional method of detecting tube leaks such as monitoring boiler make up water, mass balancing or merely depending on the human ear to recognise a sound change, are not sufficiently sensitive for large boilers. By using these methods the leak is often big enough to have already caused serious consequential damage sometimes to an entire boiler face. Research on acoustic tube leak detection for power station boilers started during the 1970's and has since become the most advanced method of tube leak detection worldwide. In 1984 we produced a computer based acoustic tube leak detection system for use on large boilers.

* What to Look For
If you see water on the ground or on the outside of your boiler, this is usually a sure sign of leakage, but boiler leaks do not always show themselves in such an obvious way. Often, your boiler is so hot during operation that small leaks evaporate quickly. These leaks are still detectable, however. Look for rust, water stains, corrosion buildup, and deposits of mineral salts. Leaks deep inside your boiler might be invisible, but they can sometimes be detected by removing your boiler's external covers. If you don't know how to do this, a service technician can help you look for interior leaks.

* Likely Locations
Some of the most common leak points on steam boilers include tankless coil mounting plates, pipe fittings, around bolt openings, between sections of a cast-iron boiler, at the circulating pump mounting flanges and at the boiler temperature/pressure relief valve. Leaks can also occur around various other valves and drains. You might not know the location of all these parts, but you can find them by consulting your boiler's operation manual.

* Hydrostatic Testing
Boiler technicians use a process called hydrostatic testing -- often simply called hydro-testing -- to detect leaks. Hydro-testing involves filling the boiler system with treated water between 100 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit, gradually increasing the pressure at less than 50 pounds per square inch per minute and inspecting the entire system for leaks. Hydro-testing should only be performed by a certified professional, and can be included with your boiler's regularly scheduled maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

* Warning
If you find rusted and corroded parts while inspecting your boiler, it is generally a good policy to look but not touch. In many cases, rusted and corroded areas can already be so thin that poking at them can break right through, transforming a minor leak to a major problem. Mineral buildup can also be holding back a major leak, and chipping it away can only make matters worse. If you find leaks, contact a service technician who can repair or replace the parts if necessary.


Thanks a lot!
Harry Potterish

hello dear sir thanks for your article it is so interesting to us woauld pleas advice us about good relibal suppleir in urop for boilr leaking detection dvice or system espcially fo small and medium sized boiler used in small factories
and thanks in advance
yours
nadjib