Quantitative leak testing with tracer gas probes 1

[Klikoos]

Dear all,

I am hoping someone can point me towards the right direction when it comes to selecting a tracer gas and probes to determine the leakage rate along the seal of a large opening.

The opening is roughly 16 ft by 16 ft and due to the awkward shape it is next to impossible impossible to place a vacuum box. Unfortunately due to the space around it and its shear size I cannot perform a pressure change test either.

The only feasible solution I can think of is to create a pocket of gas with plastic sheeting along the seal and use set tracer gas and probe.

I would gladly hear anyone's take on this.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[EdStainless]

What sensitivity are you looking for?
I have seen work done on very large structures using SF6 as a tracer (common in power plants).
The traditional gas is He, but that may be way more sensitive than you need.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[Klikoos]

The anticipated leakage from the door is somewhere around 2.25*10^-7 Pa*m^3*s^-1. From the research I just did I assume that He is the better option.