ASTM E2024-99
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Atmospheric Leaks Using a Thermal Conductivity Leak Detector
Standard Test Methods for Atmospheric Leaks Using a Thermal Conductivity Leak Detector
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for detecting the sources of gas leaking at the rate of 4.5 X 10-9 mol/s (1 X 10-4 standard cm3/s) or greater. The tests may be conducted on any object that can be pressurized with a tracer gas that is detectable by a thermal conductivity detector. The test sensitivity will vary widely depending on the tracer gas used.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:E2024–99
Standard Test Methods for
Atmospheric Leaks Using a Thermal Conductivity Leak
Detector
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2024; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for detecting the 4.1 Scanning Method—This test method sets minimum
–9 –4
sources of gas leaking at the rate of 4.5 3 10 mol/s (1 3 10 requirements for a thermal conductivity leak detector. It
standard cm /s) or greater. The tests may be conducted on any provides for calibration of the detector and gives procedures
object that can be pressurized with a tracer gas that is for pressurizing the test object, locating leaks and estimating
detectable by a thermal conductivity detector. The test sensi- the leakage rate.
tivity will vary widely depending on the tracer gas used. 4.2 Accumulation Method—The accumulation method is
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the sometimes the only practical method for accessing complex
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the shaped flanges or sections of pressurized vessels to be leak
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- tested. It may be achieved by entrapping or enclosing an area
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- of a test component with a suitable covering and sampling the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. buildup of tracer gas concentration with the thermal conduc-
tivity leak detector. The acceptance criteria is based on the
2. Referenced Documents
tracer gas concentration detected by the thermal conductivity
2.1 ASTM Standards:
detector after an accumulation time from leakage from the
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations leak(s) into the known sample volume.
2.2 ASNT Documents:
5. Significance and Use
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing 5.1 These test methods are useful for locating and estimat-
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certi- ing the size of pressurized gas leaks, either as quality control
fication of Nondestructive Testing Personnel tests or as field inspection procedures. Also, they are valuable
2.3 Military Specification: as pretests before other more time consuming and more
MIL-STD-410 Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualifica- sensitive leak tests are employed. These test methods are
tion and Certification semi-quantitative techniques used to locate leaks but cannot be
2.4 AIA Standard: used to quantify except for approximation. These test methods
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive may be used in an accept-reject test mode.
Test Personnel
6. Basis of Application
3. Terminology
6.1 Personnel Qualification—If specified in the contractual
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test agreement, personnel performing examinations to these test
methods, see Terminology E 1316, Section E. methods shall be qualified in accordance with a nationally
recognized NDT personnel qualification practice or standard,
such as ASNT/CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, MIL-STD-410, NAS-
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-07 on
410, or a similar document and certified by the employer or
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on
certifying agency, as applicable. The practice or standard used
Leak Testing Method.
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published August 1999. and its applicable revision shall be identified in the contractual
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
agreement between the using parties.
Available from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlin-
gate Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228–0518.
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111–5094, Attn: NPODS.
Available from the Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., 1250
Eye Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2024–99
7. Interferences 8.3 Test Component/System Enclosure, either a rigid struc-
ture or heavy plastic cover, to contain partially or totally
7.1 Background Gases—Thermal conductivity detectors are
surround the test part with tracer gas. The enclosure must not
sensitive to all gases that have a thermal conductivity value
restrict flow to the leak detector.
different from air and their sensitivity changes with the degree
of difference. Background gases in the test area may signifi-
9. Calibration of Leak Detector
cantly alter the test sensitivity to a particular tracer gas.
9.1 The detector shall be turned on and allowed to warm up
7.2 Cleanliness of Test Surface—Theareastobetestedmust
and zeroed as specified by the manufacturer. The probe
be free of oil, grease, paint, water, and other contaminants that
(sensor) then shall be moved across the standard leak at a
might mask a leak or be drawn into the leak detector and clog
distance of not more than 1 mm (0.04 in.) from the standard
the probe.
leak orifice and moved not faster than 20 mm/s (0.8 in./s), and
7.3 Pressurizing with Test Gas—In order to evaluate leak-
the detector’s response observed. The standard shall be
age accurately, the test gas in all parts of the device or system
scanned several times and the average indicated leakage rate is
mustcontainsubstantiallythesameconcentrationoftracergas.
the test acceptance reading. The scanning speed and distance
When the device contains air prior to the introduction of test
may have to be adjusted during calibration to improve the
gas, or when an inert gas and a tracer gas are added separately,
detector response. These scanning parameters established dur-
this may not be true. Devices in which the effective diameter
ing calibration shall not be exceeded while scanning the test
and length are not greatly different, such as tanks, may be
system.
tested satisfactorily by simply adding tracer gas; however,
9.2 Thecapsuleleakshouldbestoredwiththeshutoffvalve,
when long or restricted systems (piping) are to be tested, more
if present, closed, and the leak should be allowed to stabilize
uniform tracer gas distribution will be obtained by first
for approximately 5 min after
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