New technology tackles leak detection
An
Ion Science product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 17, 2002
Ion Science is looking for OEM automation partners to bring its new photoionisation leak detection technology to market.
Ion Science is looking for OEM automation partners to bring its new photoionisation leak detection technology to market.
Photec II is a highly sensitive sensor module, ideal for automated proof and leak testing of aerosols and other pressurised gas containers: such as gas cylinders or cigarette lighters.
In the past the most industrially accepted means of leak testing pressurised containers was to immerse them in heated hot water and watch for the telltale bubbles.
However this method can cause problems.
A nonvigilant operator can miss the bubble trail and water can spoil the product finish or labelling.
Furthermore, the product needs to be dried before packing adding an additional expense to the quality control process.
There are also a number of health and safety implications, and whilst safeguards can be put in place, there have been cases of fatal waterbath fail-to-danger incidences over the years.
The new Photec II incorporates an advanced photoionisation (PID) sensor especially adapted for automated industrial leak testing.
PID is a tried and trusted technology and highly sensitive to hydrocarbon VOC substances including butane/propane based aerosol propellants, aromatics, hydrocarbon fuels, oils, perfumes, solvents, and alcohols and ethanes.
Therefore the Photec II can directly detect the leaking contents of many pressurised containers and potentially becomes the first viable - safe and automated alternative to water bath testing.
One of the advances that makes the Photec II so useful for industrial leak testing, is a patented means of offering high sensitivity without being compromised by gross leak contamination.
So if you are making a critical leak check down to a few parts per million of gas, but the sensor is suddenly saturated with several thousand parts per million due to a major product failure, then the instrument will instantly clear down ready for the next leak test.
High sensitivity in the region of a few parts per million though, is not just for identifying minuscule leaks - it makes for incredibly fast leak testing making Photec II an ideal system for high speed production lines, or quick manual searches on large volume equipment.
The Photec II module has been designed primarily for machine integrators and consists of an advanced, industrialised photoionisation sensor together with the patented gas management system.
The module accepts and delivers analogue signals for connection with the integrators own choice of data acquisition and control system.
(This was Engineeringtalk's Top Story on 16 April 2002).
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