Apparatus and method for recovery and recycle of tracer gas from leak testing process with randomly varying demand
US6851316B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for recovering and recycling a tracer gas from a leak testing process. The apparatus comprises a leak testing section, a gas recovery/blending section, and a gas analysis/recycle section. The leak testing section operates to perform various leak testing functions and comprises a plurality of test parts, a plurality of gas supply valves, and a plurality of gas discharge valves. The gas recovery/blending section functions to blend gases together and comprises a virgin gas storage means associated with a flow control means and a recovered gas storage means having a pressure analysis means and recovered gas analysis means. The gas analysis/recycle section operates to analyze, store, and deliver a tracer gas and comprises compressor, blended gas storage means, blended gas analysis means, pressure analysis/adjustment means, and temperature analysis means. In preferred embodiments, the gas analysis/recycle section also includes a vent, compressor bypass loop, and a recycled gas analysis means.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.