Summary

The Gasophon was developed as a self-contained portable leak detector to locate leaks in buried conduits from the ground surface, using helium as a tracer gas.

The tracer gas process for locating leaks in buried conduits from the ground surface involves inserting a known amount of tracer gas helium gas or a helium/air mixture into the pipeline or closed system after the existence of leakage has first been determined by a hydrostatic or other test. A failure to hold static water pressure at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time is considered a hydrostatic test failure.

The helium-type tracer gas procedure is generally utilized after other traditional methods of leak detection have been exhausted. Preparation for the test requires removing product from the pipeline system, placing test holes over the pipeline or system at predetermined intervals, securing a supply of helium, and conducting background gravity tests in the test holes. All other methods of leak detection should be explored, other than excavation, prior to attempting the helium tracer gas procedure.

Equipment and Materials