Leaks are the primary reason for energy wastage in a diesel generator. Visible leaks can be taken care of with traditional methods, unlike hidden leaks. Therefore, to save money and energy, ultrasonic leak detection is used. Today, we’ll discuss the necessity and process for ultrasonic leak detection of diesel generators.
What Is Ultrasonic Leak Detection?
The word ‘Ultrasonic’ comes from the word ‘Ultrasound’, which means sound waves of over 20,000Hz. Ultrasonic leak detection is a non-destructive testing (NDT) solution given by modern technology to find out any hidden leaks. It’s an advanced method that uses high-frequency sound waves to detect fluid or air leaks, electrical discharges, or friction.
Human has audible range from 20Hz to 20,000Hz. But leaks from the diesel generator fuel tank create a sound of over 20,000Hz. The massive outward pressure of the air or fuel leak on the leak point creates friction with the generator wall. Sometimes this friction can also happen due to massive inward pressure in a vacuum leak.
This friction creates sound waves in the ultrasonic region and hence cannot be heard. The detection method works by detecting an ultrasonic wave, converting the ultrasonic signals into audible sound with measurable decibel levels. You can monitor and analyze this real-time data to find out any leaks in diesel generators.
Why Is Ultrasonic Leak Detection Used in Diesel Generators?
This modern detection method comes with its own set of benefits. So, let’s see why ultrasonic leak detection in diesel generators matters:
- Best for Industrial Environments
Industries are generally very noisy with all the machinery and generators running around. In this circumstance, audible sounds from big leaks can even go unheard, let alone inaudible sounds from small hidden leaks. The ultrasonic detection method is the most advanced way to detect such leaks.
- Cost and Energy Efficiency
Undetected diesel fuel leaks from the fuel tank make the generator less energy efficient. It cannot efficiently generate energy compared to the cost of its fuel and the generator itself. Besides, some hidden leaks can also lead to equipment operation failure.
This is why you should use the ultrasonic leak detection method to save money on costly repairs and energy. It’s also necessary for operational efficiency.
- Generator Fuel Safety
To protect the surroundings of the diesel generator, quickly detecting any hazardous gas or steam is non-negotiable. You can promptly detect any leak with this advanced leak detection method. It takes about a few minutes to detect any hidden leak and get your repair team to fix it early. This prevents any further leak of harmful gas or steam before it causes more irreversible damage.
- Zero Downtime
One of the great benefits of ultrasound leak detection is that it saves you from costly downtime. It can perfectly detect hidden leaks while the generator is running. So, you don’t have to shutdown your diesel generator to start the detection process.
Inspection is completely safe even if you don’t shut down the system. This maximizes the efficiency of your system and makes the operations run smoothly without any interruption.
How to Do Ultrasonic Leak Detection on a Diesel Generator
- Detection Procedure
The working principle of this method is that the detection equipment generates a sound wave of very high frequency. These energetic pulses propagate through the material of the generator wall. When the wavefront of the pulse runs into any leak on the surface, the wave path is slightly disrupted.
This happens due to the ultrasound wave caused by the outward fluid pressure on the leak point. This interrupted wave energy reflects back from the leaked point of the generator surface. The ultrasonic leak detection tool consists of parts like a wand, a real-time monitoring screen, and a headphone set.
To start the detection procedure, you have to bring the wand in proximity to the detection location of the generator. This tool is equipped with a radar level sensor. Once it’s close to a leak point, the tool will convert the ultrasound into an audible sound.
Then you can hear a hissing sound in your headphones. After that, you can trace the exact point of leaking with the real-time data recordings appearing on the screen.
- Detection Method
The detection equipment uses a process called ‘heterodyning’ to change the sound’s audible range. It is an electronic process that converts the high frequency of the ultrasound to a lower audible range. The detection tool comes with a screen where you can see real-time, accurate data about the ultrasound.
It is used for monitoring and management. This screen records the exact location and size of the leak point, and the decibel (dB) level of the leak. With an ultrasonic leak detector, you can also detect very tiny pinhole leaks as low as 1psi.
Moreover, this method not only detects leaks with outward pressure. You can also use it to detect air leaks into a vacuum system.
Conclusion
Ultrasonic leak detection is a reliable and accurate method for diesel generators in a noisy industrial environment. Say bye to all the guesswork, manual checks, and time inefficiency. With exact leak point location and size detection, this method is crucial for maintenance solutions of Diesel generator.
Huaquan Power offers the best power solution. There is an extensive range of diesel generators on our website. Our brand is known for durability and efficiency. Contact us to pair up with the right generator for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What’s the single most common reason a diesel generator fails to perform its critical duty?
The most common reason is hidden leaks in multiple locations of the diesel generator. They silently cause diesel to drain back into the tank, hindering fuel delivery. This causes low fuel pressure due to gradual oil loss and a change in back pressure. Hidden coolant leaks cause overheating and eventually shut down the generator.
Q2: Why do leaks appear in a diesel generator?
The reason can be a mix of mechanical stress, heat, pressure, etc. It can also occur due to aging in a corrosive environment and poor maintenance.
Q3: How is ultrasound used in leak detection?
An ultrasound wave is used to hit the targeted surface of the generator. When it is reflected back by a leak, the monitoring system of the tool picks the signal up. Later, the exact location, size, and decibel level of the signal are shown on screen to trace back the leak.
