Product category:
Pressure/temperature regulators, steam traps
News Release from: PVL | Subject: Accutrak
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 February 2004
PVL slashes the cost of leak detection
New from PVL is an innovative leak detector that uses a patented ultrasonic technique to trace even the smallest of leaks: the innovative Accutrak can 'hear' leaks
New from PVL is an innovative leak detector that uses a patented ultrasonic technique to trace even the smallest of leaks Providing a highly cost-effective solution where other techniques fail, or where they are too time consuming to be viable, the Accutrak can detect pinhole leaks right down to 1 psi, and is suitable for use with any pressurised gas from any system
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 12 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The same instrument can even pinpoint vacuum leaks, yet costs under GBP400.
The Accutrak can 'hear' leaks.
Just as large leaks create an audible hiss, as the jagged edges of the opening create turbulence in the escaping gas, so smaller leaks from tiny cracks create a sound, but at ultrasonic frequencies.
Because the intensity of sound generated at a leak is a complex function of the viscosity, the temperature, the speed the fluid is moving, the Reynolds number, the pressure differential across the leak, and the physical characteristics of the orifice, the sound pressure created by a small leak is often much larger than that created by a large leak.
Indeed the sound pressure is so high that, from a few feet away, Accutrak can pinpoint a leak from an opening as small as 0.005 of an inch.
Using a technique called heterodyning, Accutrak translates the ultrasonic hiss to a lower frequency where it can be heard through headphones, and so leads you to the source.
An LED meter is also built into the device to make it easier to pinpoint the leak location.
Leaks can be often be detected from several feet away, and quickly traced.
"The compressed air leaks you can't hear inevitably cost you more than those you can," says PVL managing director Steve Moorey.
"This low cost device provides an extremely effective solution, and could provide the key to enjoying lower electricity bills or reduced CO2 emissions by enabling you to quickly trace the smallest of leaks.
It's so sensitive that it can even 'hear' the blink of an eye, yet, because it's not focused on a specific band of sound, it's immune to wind noise, voices, traffic and most normal operating sounds around a plant".
The ultra-sensitive hand-held, pocket sized detector comes complete with high quality Koss headphones and contact probe, and provides an integrated LED bargraph display, sensitivity adjustment and volume control. Request a free brochure from PVL ...
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