An

An Introduction
Introduction To
To
Helium
Helium Leak
Leak methods
methods and
and
Techniques
Techniques

Mirza Safeer Ahmad

National Centre for NDT

 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
 Helium Leak Testing is a sensitive,
reliable and most widely used method
of leak detection in manufacturing
industries.
 Typical users are the manufacturers of
electronic tubes and other devices
with critical operating conditions.
 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
 Mostly the heavy and light fabricated
tubes, pressure vessels and
assemblies are tested using Helium
leak test.
 Helium leak testing is used throughout
industry to locate leaks in even the
most complex pressure, vacuum and
hermetic systems and enclosures.
FUNDAMENTALS OF
LEAK DETECTION
 FUNDAMENTALS OF
LEAK DETECTION
Leak:
A leak may be defined as an unintended
crack, hole or porosity in a containing
wall that allows the admission or escape
of fluid or gas.
The basic function of leak detection is
the location and measurements of leaks
in sealed products, which must contain
or exclude fluids.
 FUNDAMENTALS
FUNDAMENTALS OF
OF
LEAK
LEAK DETECTION
DETECTION
The Need for Leak Detection:
It is for all practical purposes,
impossible to manufacture a sealed
enclosure or system that can be
guaranteed to be completely leaking
proof without first being tested.
 Fundamentals of
Leak Detection
The Need for Leak Detection:
The fundamental question in leak
detection is; what is the maximum
acceptable leak rate consistent with
reasonable performance life of the
product?
 Why
Why A
A Helium
Helium Leak
Leak Detector?
Detector?
 High Sensitivity
 Wide Range
 Reliable
 Quantitative
 Dynamic Testing
SIMS 180TD+
 Helium
Helium Leak
Leak Detection
Detection
Mass spectrometer is used for helium
leak detection method.
Good for leak detection as large as 1 std
cc/Sec and up to 10 -11 std cc/Sec.
Extremely sensitive and reliable
quantitative measurement capability
makes it very important for systems and
components which require exact leak
rate specification.
Mass
Mass Spectrometer
Spectrometer Helium
Helium
Leak
Leak Detector
Detector
 Why
Why Helium?
Helium?
 Low Background (5-20 PPM)
 Inert F
Ne
Ar
 Safe H

O Kr
 Light ?

 Low Cost Cl He N Xe
 Operation
Operation of
of Mass
Mass
Spectrometer
Spectrometer Leak
Leak Detector
Detector
 Mass spectrometer is a device for
electromagnetic sorting of charged
gaseous particles.
 Mass spectrometer leak detector
(MSLD) is a complete system for
locating and measuring the sizes of
leaks.
 Operation
Operation of
of Mass
Mass
Spectrometer
Spectrometer Leak
Leak Detector
Detector
 MSLD operating principle consists of
ionization of gases in vacuum.
 These ions are accelerated with high
potential difference and magnetic
field.
 Operation
Operation of
of Mass
Mass
Spectrometer
Spectrometer Leak
Leak Detector
Detector
Factors
Factors to
to be
be Considered
Considered for
for the
the Selection
Selection
of
of Helium
Helium Leak
Leak Testing
Testing Technique
Technique
 Size, shape, and location of the
equipment to be tested.
 Choice between use of pressure or
vacuum or both for testing.
 Maximum leakage rate specified or
that can be tolerated.
Factors
Factors to
to be
be Considered
Considered for
for the
the Selection
Selection
of
of Helium
Helium Leak
Leak Testing
Testing Technique
Technique

 Degree of automatic leak testing

operation required.
 Number of parts or complexity of the
system to be tested.
 Operation
Operation of
of Mass
Mass
Spectrometer
Spectrometer Leak
Leak Detector
Detector
 Tracer
Tracer Probe
Probe Method
Method

The mass spectrometer leak detector

is connected to the internal volume
of an evacuated test object (such as
a vessel or piping system) while a
helium spray tracer probe is moved
over the external surface to detect
the specific locations of leaks. The
interior of the test piece is
 Tracer
Tracer Probe
Probe Method
Method
 The interior of the test piece is
evacuated
 A probe is used to directly spray the
test gas on the suspected leak sites
 Any leaks are evidenced when the
tracer gas flows through the
evacuated test piece and is detected
by the leak detector.
Tracer
Tracer Probe
Probe Method
Method
Tracer
Tracer Probe
Probe Method
Method
 Detector
Detector Probe
Probe Method
Method
 The test object or system is
pressurized internally with helium or a
gas mixture containing helium.
 The mass spectrometer leak detector
is connected to the hose of a scanning
probe that collects samples of gas
leaking from the external surface into
the surrounding atmosphere.
 Detector
Detector Probe
Probe Method
Method
To verify probe response before
scanning the test object, the probe
should be moved past the orifice of a
known helium source at the same
speed and distance as will be used
for the test object.
 Detector
Detector Probe
Probe Method
Method
 The detector probe technique can be
used to determine leak locations but
is inadequate for leakage
measurement or for finding leaks
smaller than I0-7 Pa-m3/s (I0-6 std
cm3/s).
Detector
Detector Probe
Probe Method
Method
Detector
Detector Probe
Probe Method
Method
Hood
Hood Method
Method (Outside
(Outside –– In
In Mode)
Mode)
 When vacuum leak testing by the
hood technique, the mass
spectrometer leak detector is
connected to the evacuated interior
of the system under test.
 The test object or system is then
placed under a hood or within a
chamber containing helium gas or an
air helium mixture usually at
atmospheric pressure.
Hood
Hood Method
Method (Outside
(Outside –– In
In Mode)
Mode)
 This technique can be used to
quantify the total leakage rate of the
system.
 However, it cannot be used to
determine the specific locations of
leaks.
Hood
Hood Method
Method (Outside
(Outside –– In
In Mode)
Mode)
Hood
Hood Method
Method (Outside
(Outside –– In
In Mode)
Mode)
Bell
Bell Jar
Jar Method
Method (Inside
(Inside –– Out
Out Mode)
Mode)
 Sealed components filled with helium
or a gas mixture containing helium
are placed in an evacuated testing
chamber.
 The mass spectrometer connected to
this vacuum chamber detects helium
leaking from any part of the surfaces
of the sealed test objects in the
vacuum chamber.
Bell
Bell Jar
Jar Method
Method (Inside
(Inside –– Out
Out Mode)
Mode)
 This test does not permit location of
leaks on the test object surfaces.
 The test part is filled with helium gas
or gas mixture containing helium.
Bell
Bell Jar
Jar Method
Method (Inside
(Inside –– Out
Out Mode)
Mode)
Bell
Bell Jar
Jar Method
Method (Inside
(Inside –– Out
Out Mode)
Mode)
 Accumulation
Accumulation Method
Method
 Leaking helium tracer gas is allowed
to collect for a period of time before
being sampled by the leak detector.
 The accumulation method does not
usually permit leak location.
 However, by sealing off small surface
areas and accumulating tracer gas
within the sealed volume, areas of
leakage can be localized.
 Dynamic
Dynamic Testing
Testing
When Helium leak testing is
performed with the high vacuum
pump of a helium mass spectrometer
continually pumping on the test
object.
 Static
Static Testing
Testing
When the vacuum pump is
disconnected from the test object.
This method accumulates helium
leakage to make a more sensitive
measurement and is relatively
uncommon
 Techniques
Techniques for
for Locating
Locating Leaks
Leaks
 Spraying Method
 Sniffer Probe Technique
 Spraying
Spraying Method
Method
 This method is applied to objects
and systems that can be evacuated.
 MSLD is connected directly to the
interior volume of the system under
test.
 After evacuation of the test object or
system the exterior surface or
suspected areas are sprayed with a
fine jet of helium from a helium
probe.
 Spraying
Spraying Method
Method
 A portion of any helium tracer gas
entering the vacuum system through
a leak is drawn into the mass
spectrometer leak detector.
 The presence of helium in the mass
spectrometer tube is indicated both
audibly and visually by alarms.
 Spraying
Spraying Method
Method
 The concentration of the helium in
the spectrometer tube is indicated by
the deflection of the pointer on a
panel meter.
 Careful scanning with the helium
probe permits positive location of
leaks.
 Sniffer
Sniffer Probe
Probe Technique
Technique
 Internal pressure instead of vacuum
is used for conducting a leak test.
 This method of testing is referred to
as pressure testing.
 Such tests require introducing a
tracer gas within the test object or
use a mixture of a trace gas and
some other gas such as nitrogen,
under a pressure greater than the
atmospheric.
Sniffer
Sniffer Probe
Probe Technique
Technique
 Sniffer
Sniffer Probe
Probe Technique
Technique
 In the sniffing test, the probe used
for the detection of leak location is
called sniffer probe.
 This device attaches to the inlet of
the leak detector with a long flexible
tube and is used to pinpoint leaks
from test parts pressurized with
helium.
 Sniffer
Sniffer Probe
Probe Technique
Technique
 Vinyl tubing or flexible metal tubing
may be used to connect the sniffer to
the helium leak detector.
 The length of a vinyl probe hose
should not exceed 2m (6 ft.) for
optimum speed of response and
clean up.
 The sensitivity of this technique
varies with length of the probe hose.
 Technique
Technique for
forAccumulation
Accumulation
pressure
pressure testing
testing
 This technique detects the total
amount of leakage by enclosing the
component under test within the bag,
box, shroud or container.
 Any gas leaking from the component
accumulates in the space (volume)
between the component and the
enclosure.
 Technique
Technique for
forAccumulation
Accumulation
pressure
pressure testing
testing
 A measurement of the accumulation
of tracer gas in a measured time
period provides a measure of the
leakage rate.
 The pressure method used to
measure this type of leakage with a
mass spectrometer leak detector is
called accumulation testing.
 Technique
Technique for
forAccumulation
Accumulation
pressure
pressure testing
testing
 The vessel to be tested is
pressurized with a tracer gas and
placed in a sealed room with a leak
detector and probe, or the instrument
can be outside and the probe
connected to the chamber through a
port or opening.
 Technique
Technique for
forAccumulation
Accumulation
pressure
pressure testing
testing
 The accumulation technique may be
applied to vessels of any size or
configuration that are capable of
being pressurized at greater than
atmospheric pressure.
 Parts
Parts per
per million
million testing
testing
 In this method, the vessel to be tested is
pressurized with helium and placed in a
sealed room with a leak detector, or the
instrument can be out side and
connected to the room by a test line.
 A sampling probe is attached with the
leak detector and instrument pressure is
set and maintained at 25m Pa (0.2 µm of
Hg).
 Parts
Parts per
per million
million testing
testing
 The percentage of helium in air is
0.000 4%.
 To avoid confusion, it may be
desirable to “zero” this reading out
of the system, after calibration, and
before leak testing the vessel. Then
any leakage of helium from the
pressurised vessel will be picked up
by the leak detector.
 Global
Global Test
Test
 The best way to conduct this type of
test is to enclose all or part of the
evacuated system under test with an
atmosphere containing helium.
 The helium will enter the system
under test if any leaks are present.
 The internal volume of the test object
is connected directly to a vacuum
pump.
 Global
Global Test
Test
 The leak detector in turn is
connected to the vacuum pump
system. Helium leaking from the
hood into the test object is detected
by the leak detector.
 This test permit the determination of
a total leakage rate for the entire
system.
 The porosity of almost any material,
including metals and ceramics, can
be measured by this method.
 Bomb
Bomb and
and backfill
backfill (bell
(bell Jar)
Jar)
 This method is used for sealed
objects which can not be attached
directly to the detector.
 The object is first placed in a vessel
containing helium under pressure.
 Helium penetrates into the object if it
has a leak.
 Bomb
Bomb and
and backfill
backfill (bell
(bell Jar)
Jar)
 The object is then removed from the
vessel and placed in another vessel
which is connected to the detector.
 Helium escapes from the object
through the leak, and produces a
signal.
 Vacuum
Vacuum System
System of
of MSLD
MSLD
 Mechanical roughing pump.
 Mechanical rotary van backing or
fore pump.
 Oil vapour diffusion pump or turbo
molecular pump.
 Cryogenic pumping surface.
 Associated Valve & gauges.
Vacuum
Vacuum System
System of
of MSLD
MSLD
 Capabilities
Capabilities and
and Limitations
Limitations of
of
Helium
Helium Sniffer
Sniffer Leak
Leak testing
testing
 The sensitivity of the helium sniffer
leak test method in a normal field
environment will enable detection of
leakage rates in the range of 10-3 to
10-4 pa. m3/sec (10-2 to 10-3 std.
cm3/sec), at differential pressure of
100 kPa (1 atm.) using helium
mixture of 2 to 5% by volume.
 Capabilities
Capabilities and
and Limitations
Limitations of
of
Helium
Helium Sniffer
Sniffer Leak
Leak testing
testing
 Using the accumulation technique of
bagging with polyethylene and rigidly
controlling the factors affecting
sensitivity, it is possible at a
differential pressure of 100 Kpa ( 1
atm.) to detect much smaller leakage
rates of 1 x 10-5 pa. m3/sec (10-4 std.
cm3/sec) using helium mixture of 2 to
5% by volume.
 Capabilities
Capabilities and
and Limitations
Limitations of
of
Helium
Helium Sniffer
Sniffer Leak
Leak testing
testing
 The increase of sensitivity obtained
by bagging and accumulating is
directly dependent on time of
accumulation
 Calibration
Calibration of
of Helium
Helium Leak
Leak
Detector
Detector
 Calibration of the instrument merely
correlates the output signal with a
known flow of helium
 Calibration is usually accomplished
by adjusting the gain, or amplifier
feedback, until leak rate meter
reading agrees with the value
stamped on the standard leak.
 Calibration
Calibration of
of Helium
Helium Leak
Leak
Detector
Detector
 A standard calibrated helium leak
with 100% pure helium at
atmospheric pressure is generally
used to calibrate the helium leak
detector.
 The leaking membrane is a silica
quartz bulb with diffusion type
leakage. The calibration leaks are
normally supplied in the 10-6 or 10-10
Std CC/Sec ranges.
 Calibration
Calibration of
of Helium
Helium Leak
Leak
Detector
Detector
 The calibration temperature is
labelled on each standard leak, and a
temperature correction factor is also
given.
 Concentration
Concentration of
of tracer
tracer Gas
Gas
 The concentration of helium tracer
gas shall be approximately 10% by
volume at the test pressure, unless
otherwise specified by the
referencing code section.
 The test pressure shall be held a
minimum of 30 minute.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 A mass spectrometer is a device that
sorts and filters various types of
charged particles.
 As gas enters an analyzer, a filament
releases a stream of electrons that
converts the gas particles into
charged ions that are accelerated to
a rapid speed.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 Under a constant magnetic field, ions
that share the same mass move
along a specific trajectory toward a
collector, which accumulates only
the targeted molecules.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 Specialized devices, such as helium
mass spectrometers, can be
configured to remain sensitive only
to a particular range of atomic mass,
allowing other molecules to pass
through the detector without
triggering the collector.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 Mass spectrometers can only
operate within a vacuum, making
them effective for leak detection in
vacuum systems, but can be adapted
for pressurized tracer gas systems
through the addition of a probe or an
enclosure for collecting leakage.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 However, a mass spectrometer’s
sensitivity and minimum leak
detection rate tend to decrease when
the device is applied to a pressure
system.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
The mass spectrometer produces a
beam of positive ions from a sample
of tracer gas being investigated,
sorts these ions into a spectrum of
mass-to-charge ratios, and records
or indicates the relative abundance
of each species of ion present.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 In mass spectrometers, the ion
currents of specific ion species are
detected electrically.
 The signal is usually amplified
electronically before being displayed
or recorded.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
The primary functions of a mass
spectrometer instrument are to be
sufficiently sensitive to detect all
desired ion currents and to be able to
resolve or separate completely the
ion currents due to different ion
species.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 Pumping tracer gas samples from
leaks in test objects into the vacuum
of the instrument.
 The ionization of gas sample
molecules by electron impact.
 The sorting and identification of
positive ions according to their
mass-to-charge ratios.
 MASS
MASS SPECTROMETER
SPECTROMETER
 Hot tungsten filaments
 High Potential Difference and vacuum
 Analyzing magnetic field
 Separating slits
 Target plate
 Electrometer (charge detector)
 Amplifier
 display meter
 Vacuum Pumps
 SNIFFER
SNIFFER
 This simple tracer gas collection
device is connected to a leak detector
with a pumping system.
 The pump provides the suction
necessary to draw tracer gas samples
into the sniffer inlet, through the
connecting hose, and into the sensing
element of the leak detector.
 SNIFFER
SNIFFER
 A screw adjustment on the sniffer gun
provides for control of the gas intake
and throughout to the leak detector
instrumentation.
 A sleeve or rubber nozzle on the tip of
the probe collects the leaking tracer
gas which will travel to the detector.
THANK YOU