argon piping pressure/leak test
Hi Everyone,
What testing protocol would you recommend to verify the integrity/tightness of the argon piping system for Helios/CyTOF?
We recently installed a stainless steel piping system with all Swagelok fittings from the argon tanks (in the hallway) to the instrument (inside lab). Although the system will operate at positive pressure (~80-90 psi), the gas is flowing fast (~8.5 m/s according to my calculation; that is, ~1 second from tank to instrument), so I'm worrying that any potential micro hole in the fittings could create a local turbulence or draft that could suck air in (ie, oxygen).
I'm thinking of doing a cheap pressure test (fill with N2 at ~100 psi) and see if the pressure holds over a few days. Have you done similar or other leak test? What leak rate is typical for your system? And what rate should be acceptable? (Say, <1 psi/day, <10 psi/day, etc?)
Thank you very much for your kind advice and help!
Victor Guo
What testing protocol would you recommend to verify the integrity/tightness of the argon piping system for Helios/CyTOF?
We recently installed a stainless steel piping system with all Swagelok fittings from the argon tanks (in the hallway) to the instrument (inside lab). Although the system will operate at positive pressure (~80-90 psi), the gas is flowing fast (~8.5 m/s according to my calculation; that is, ~1 second from tank to instrument), so I'm worrying that any potential micro hole in the fittings could create a local turbulence or draft that could suck air in (ie, oxygen).
I'm thinking of doing a cheap pressure test (fill with N2 at ~100 psi) and see if the pressure holds over a few days. Have you done similar or other leak test? What leak rate is typical for your system? And what rate should be acceptable? (Say, <1 psi/day, <10 psi/day, etc?)
Thank you very much for your kind advice and help!
Victor Guo