GB771051A - Method of detecting leaks and testing media for that purpose - Google Patents

Abstract

771,051. Detecting leaks. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. Nov. 23, 1955 [Dec. 7, 1954], No. 33617/55. Class 106 (2). [Also in Groups XL (a) and XL (b)] In detecting leaks in a metallic vessel, the vessel is filled with a corrosion and rust inhibiting non-inflammable liquid comprising an aqueous solution of a liquid amine, a wetting agent, preferably non-ionizing, and a radioactive or fluorescent indicator substance so that the aqueous solution penetrates the vessel through the leaks to its exterior surface where the presence of the testing liquid may be observed by its radioactivity or fluorescence. Suitable amines are the hydroxy alkyl amines, particularly ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and propanolamine, and morpholine (diethylene imide oxide), in concentrations of 0.25-2 per cent by weight. Suitable wetting agents are sodium dioctyl sulphosuccinate, sodium heptadecyl sulphate, sodium dioctyl phosphate, sodium tetradecyl sulphate alkyl aryl sodium sulphonates, polyethoxyamines, di-tertiary acetyloenic glycols, polyoxethylene thioethers, polyethylene glycol tert-dodecylthioether and alkyl phenyl polyethylene glycol ethers. The preferred concentration of wetting agents is 0.001 to 0.5 per cent by weight. Suitable fluorescent indicators are fluoroscein and beta-methyl umbelliferone in concentrations of 1-50 parts per million. A suitable radioactive indicator, which also forms the corrosion inhibitor is ethanolamine C 14 . A specific formulation comprises 0.5 per cent by weight of monoethanolamine, 0.05 per cent by weight of polyethylene glycol tert-dodecylthioether and 50 parts per million of fluorescein. The liquid may be held under pressure (3-20 pounds) in the interior of the vessel being tested.