How to Perform a Leak Check with a Helium Mass Spectrometer

When it comes to finding leaks in your furnace, it can be a true art form. One of Ipsen's most common customer questions concerns how to find a leak using a helium mass spectrometer. This video tutorial is given by Josh from Ipsen's Quality Control Department and provides step-by-step instructions detailing how to perform a leak check, from calibrating the helium mass spectrometer to determining what exact part of the furnace is the source of the leak.

[@tjvanderloop1686]

Excellent use of a sophisticated "Helium Mass Spectrometer" for NDT-leak testing. Thanks! TJ Vanderloop, CMfgE & LSME & AWS member

[@shaunybonny688]

How fast should you actually move your helium probe? Seemed like he was moving around very quickly. I work at a titanium melt shop and trying to learn how to do effective vacuum furnace leak testing is like pulling teeth around here. Thanks

[@rajdeeppradhan1360]

Sir, is the roughing pump + blower ON while detecting leak? Is it possible to add a calibrated leak to determine the ratio for split flow method?

[@tjvanderloop1686]

Excellent use of a sophistic "Helium Mas Spectrometer for NDT-leak testing TJ Vanderloop

[@jeffpsomething6961]

It was a demo leak test. I've done many, many leak checks myself. That being said, remember that it takes the leak detector a few seconds to react. So that small spike could of been from the flanges. Also, he did have too much helium flow. I could hear the helium when he presses the trigger. Also, i've tested the ipsen many times. There could be an internal leak. The diffusion poppet valve cylinder can leak from the seals into the system which can only be detected by spraying helium into the rod side of the poppet valve cylinder. Also, the partial pressure valve can be leaking into the system as well as the backfill valve. So you have to remember if you don't find an external leak, there could be an internal leak. Just some food for thought.

[@jeffpsomething6961]

+Jeff psomething BTW, I was talking about the first leak, not the second spike.

[@moonpiespotlight4759]

Best is to take a bottle of IPA and dip the nozzle in it, then adjust until you get a few bubbles coming out (you cannot even feel that level of output). He also started low and went high on the left side of that end cap. Helium rises, so always start off high (position, not on drugs lol) and work your way down, pausing a few seconds each few inches or so to see if you get a response.

[@klou7062]

My biggest question is how much helium flow should 1 be using? When you are dealing with O-Rings or VCR cages for gas lines. I seem to not be able to find a specific spec. I too use IPA and stick the helium gun in the bottle and by looking I only let about 1 bubble a sec come out. I seen ppl use like 20-30 bubbles a sec and find leaks that I didn't find. So it makes me think are they forcing a leak? Or a false leak??

[@commonman23]

wow it is a very short and sweet demo,bit quick one too. it would have been more perfoct if more technical data is been added.

[@sp052]

Why was venting performed right after doing the calibration?

[@moonpiespotlight4759]

It only vents the foreline where the calibrated leak connects, else he couldn't remove it. It doesn't vent the internal system.

[@nithikasn]

Dear Sir Can you please reply me what types of pumps using for this jobs?

[@ipsenvideos]

The pumps that are used in this video are Leybold brand pumps.

[@Robjohn37]

1/2 of the people who viewed this are legitimately worried or curious as to how to check for helium leaks. The other half probably played Half-Life.

[@Gary-ts6dh]

You're laughing at some of us who have never used a helium leak detector before. I lead a fairly sheltered life, so I don't know what 'Half-Life' is (I am guessing it has something to do with radiation.) I appreciate the walkthrough. I've never used our leak detector before, so this video has given me a good look at what I can expect when I turn it on. The man that built our detector in the machine shop has retired; but, now we need to use it.

[@CafeBikeGirl]

Tech in the video didn't compensate for temperature or depletion of the calibrated leak, his calibration was probably 10-15% off, it's not like a tracer probe test is quantitative though.

[@moonpiespotlight4759]

How would he compensate if the calibrated leak is the standard? I realize it's an old comment but it doesn't make any sense unless he's using a mass flow controller and trying to calibrate it to helium, which he isn't. Also, it's not a tracer probe. If it was, it would be pulling in air, not expelling helium.

[@kid_funzone3201]

good

[@mirzoxidtursunov326]

Asalomu alaykum