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Figure 1. Testing location (left) and deep lake water cooling system (right)
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Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A condominium with multiple towers of more than 70 floors each in downtown Toronto contains several kilometers of pipes that are built to supply water to residents as well as for heating and cooling purposes. In fact, more than 100 buildings in Toronto aim to reduce its emissions and energy by using the deep lake water from Lake Ontario to offer cooling of indoor residential spaces. In addition, these buildings incorporate district energy models instead of individual mechanical systems, which occupy space and reduces efficiency.
Hetek Solutions was involved in a unique project, to support its client in offering, for the very first time, pipe integrity checks and pinpointing leaking components for indoor, vertical water infrastructure with Hydrogen (H2) as a tracer gas.
During the construction phase, when pipe installers complete the installation of hot-water riser (HWR) and cold-water riser (CWR) piping system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) purposes, they need to perform the necessary integrity checks prior to commissioning. The integrity checks involve pressure tests, with a fluid (liquid or gas) that is safe and can be pressurized, not to cause catastrophic damage from potentially leaking components. As an example, natural gas utilities use water for pressure tests in case of leaks or ruptures. Similarly for indoor applications of pipes that carry water, nitrogen (N2) gas is injected with a pressure gauge that evaluates whether there is any pressure loss over time. When there is a pressure drop in a closed system of piping, it is due to a leak – and since the piping is new it is likely at a stress concentration such as a joint along the piping system.
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Figure 2. HWR and CWR piping with gas injection
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Finding a leak can be challenging and time consuming. This is where injection of a tracer gas of hydrogen and nitrogen mixture and the hydrogen sensor of a pinpointing device, the SebaKMT HL7000 with the H2 sensor attachment was implemented. The HL7000 is typically used for underground cable and pipe locator work on water mains with its acoustic ground listening sensors such as ground microphones and contract microphones. However, in cases where an inert gas needs to be used, the H2 sensor can be very effective. The uniqueness in this case was the atypical use of the equipment indoors in a high-rise condominium building where the pipe is vertically situated in many compartmentalized spaces with limited access to the pipe.
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Figure 3. Tracer gas leak detection (left and middle) and gas sensor purging (right)
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When a pressure test with nitrogen gas for a riser of HWR or CWR failed, then a gas mixture of 5.06% H2 with a balance of N2 gas from a pressurized cylinder was injected into the pipe and the HL7000 with H2 sensor was used to detect leaks on various floors. Once a high reading was detected, the technician would further pinpoint it to a joint. A soap solution would be applied to the joint and upon bubbling due to the escaping gas, the leaking component would be confirmed. Repairs of the component would follow, along with an additional nitrogen pressure test for compliance and quality assurance purposes.
Hetek Solutions, with its expertise in gas and water leak detection was able to support its client with training on the techniques for leak surveying including device operation, sensor warm up, zero calibration, purging, and encountering background gas in indoor spaces. Additionally, Hetek was also able to provide some direction and best practices to formalise standard operating procedures for its client to have this as a new service offering on all its new piping and construction builds, including below ground horizontal piping with water – surveyed using acoustic sensors. Hetek is proud to support safety, pipe integrity, and environmental stewardship initiatives in an efficient and effective manner with suitable products, technical expertise, and detailed training courses. For more information, please contact us today.
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