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Leak Checking

Leak Checking Helium Compressor

Compressors that need to be leak checked will be located in the leak checking area of the CRC. This is located between the CryoLab and the CRC near the cosmetic refurb station.

Mini Tracer Leak detector

There are a few different methods of leak checking a helium compressor. The most broad method is to use the MiniTracer leak detector.

image of compressors in the leak checking area

The compressors will have bags over them to accumulate any leaking helium so that the leak detector will have a better chance of detecting the existence of a leak.

The leak detector is a device that sniffs for helium as well as other inert gasses.

Tip

It is important to be aware of the possibility of false readings to avoid searching for false leaks.

Image of the leak detector in the case.
Image of the leak detector out of the case and powered on.

To begin the leak check, power on the leak detector and insert the probe to the top of the bag.

Tip

Be sure not to plug the tip of the probe with the bag.

Probe under the bag at the top

Hold the probe inside the bag for 15-30 seconds to try and sniff a leak.

If a leak is detected, there will be bars on the device that indicate the severity of the leak. If there is a leak then a thorough leak check will have to be done to locate and repair the leak.

Mini tracer showing a leak with red bars.

Record the number of red bars on the compressor test paperwork.

Number of red bars recorded.

Setting Final Pressure

If the leak check passes, the next step is to set the compressors static pressure if it is not within the spec range. The range can be found on the test paperwork.

The compressor pressure must be set to within this range.

Compressor Pressure Conversion

Helium compressors come with a few different scales on the pressure gauge. Some of these scales are bar, psi, kilopascal, or megapascal. In order to simplify the processes, internally we only use the megapascal scale when discussing specifications and therefore will often have to convert values when megapascal isn't present.

Conversion Chart

Unit Megapascal Kilopascal bar Pounds per square inch
Abbreviation MPa kPa bar PSI/PSIG
Example 1. 0.1 MPa 100 kPa 1 bar 14.5 psig
Example 2. 0.5 MPa 500 kPa 5 bar ~ 73 psig
Example 3. 1.0 MPa 1000 kPa 10 bar 145 psig
Example 4. 2.25 MPa 2250 kPa 22.5 bar ~ 326 psig

Example of a bar/psi/kilpascal scale.

Example of a bar/psi/kilpascal scale.