Locating Underground Leaks in Water Lines and Pipes
Locating Leaks in Sub-Surface Water Lines, Fuel Pipelines & Other Transmission Lines using a Hydrogen Tracer Gas
The Hydro-Lok Subsurface Leak Detector with the highest sensitivity and lowest cost
Finding and locating subsurface leaks in underground transmission lines and pipes can be long and expensive if the leak location determination is wrong. With the development of hydrogen leak detectors, you now have a low cost tracer gas solution for finding those hard to find leak locations.
Hydrogen/Nitrogen Mixture (non-flammable with 5% H2) is a very low cost abundant gas mixture. The mixture is commercially available throughout the USA. Hydrogen is a very small, high energy molecule that is very difficult to contain. Thus when coming out of a pipe or line, it uses that energy to escape to the atmosphere where our Hydro-Lok Detection System can precisely detect the underground leak location.
Why Use Hydrogen as the tracer gas?
- Hydrogen is very high energy gas and a small molecule
- Background of hydrogen in air is very low thus provides good leak resolution
- Low cost gas that is abundantly available and can be created
- Hydrogen sensor offers great durability and robustness
- Sensor while very sensitive to hydrogen is relatively inexpensive
What is provided in the leak detection kit?
- Hydrogen Sensor- Can detect down to the single digit ppm’s of 5/95 tracer gas
- High Pressure Hydrogen Regulator- With Proper hydrogen fitting
- 50 ft. Connection Line with Quick Connect Fittings
- Portable Collector with 6″ Bulb to Trap Hydrogen Escaping the Ground
- Cylinder of 5%H2/95N2 Gas- 40 cu.ft- (optional)
How to Use the Hydro-Lok
- 1. Isolate the underground line so that the hydrogen tracer gas mixture can be released into the pipe.
- 2. Determine the depth the pipe is below the ground and the type/density of the underground soil/material.
- 3. If the pipe is 2 ft. underground, it may only take 30 minutes for the tracer gas to surface. If it is much deeper and the material is say concrete, the period could be as long as overnight.
- 4. Inject the hydrogen tracer gas into the line pressurizing as much as possible without damaging any component in the piping system, Pressure is a major factor in leak rate. But keep in mind that leaking water lines expel a lot of tracer gas.
- 5. Once you feel the tracer gas has surfaced, walk the line of the pipe, probing every foot or so until a leak is detected.
- 6. Measure the leak rate in the area where indicated closely and determine the point of highest reading.
- 7. The leak should be located within a 3 foot circle of where the highest leak rate is indicated.
Is the 5% Hydrogen/95% Nitrogen Flammable?
Important answer....No... 5% hydrogen in nitrogen is not a flammable gas. It is important to maintain the 5% hydrogen concentration as at 5.7% the mixture would not be classified as a non-combustible gas. But the 5/95 mixture will come in a green label non-combustible rating on the gas bottle. Now the 5% hydrogen must be in nitrogen. For example, 5% hydrogen in air is not non-combustible.
Rental of a Hydro-Lok Hydrogen Leak Detector
Rentals of the Hydro-Lok are now available in Atlanta, Orlando, Lakeland and Tampa areas. We offer daily, weekly and monthly rental along with accessories needed to conduct a hydrogen tracer gas leak check. We are looking for Distributors in other areas of the USA to represent the rentals and sales of the Hydro-Lok. Contact us to get the best sub-surface leak detector that is also low cost.
Pricing of the Hydro-Lok
TLD.500 Sensor alone - $998
TLD.500 with Probe attachment - $1,270
TLD.500 with probe and 5/95 Regulator - $1,560
TLD.500 with probe, regulator and 50. ft hose $1,620
TLD.500 with 5/95 Regulator $1,288
Add 40 cu. ft Gas Storage Tank filled with 5% H2 95% N2 Gas Add $279
Testimonials
Dave Weeks Plumbing
Lakeland, FL
863-648-4634
http://davidweeksplumbing.com
