Abstract: The apparatus is used for testing heat exchangers having mutually separate first and second flow paths. The apparatus provides a high pressure fluid source (10) to connect with a first pressure-sealed flow path of the heat exchanger under test. A volumetric sensor (VS) is connected to a selected pressure-sealed flow path, having a sensing chamber arranged to receive fluid from the selected flow path. The sensing chamber is connected to a further fluid source such as a compressed air reservoir (16) which provides a high pressure gas supply. Movement of a magnetic float within the sensing chamber is detected by an array of Hall effect sensors, enabling a CPU to calculate the rate of leakage between the two flow paths which may be signaled to a local display and/or alarm or remotely via an internet connection.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for testing heat exchangers having mutually separate first and second flow paths. The apparatus provides a high pressure fluid source (10) to connect with a first pressure-sealed flow path of the heat exchanger under test. A volumetric sensor (VS) is connected to a selected pressure-sealed flow path, having a sensing chamber arranged to receive fluid from the selected flow path. The sensing chamber is connected to a further fluid source such as a compressed air reservoir (16) which provides a high pressure gas supply. Movement of a magnetic float within the sensing chamber is detected by an array of Hall effect sensors, enabling a CPU to calculate the rate of leakage between the two flow paths which may be signaled to a local display and/or alarm or remotely via an internet connection.

Abstract: A method of detecting irregularities on or in the wall of a vessel by detecting localized spatial temperature differentials on the wall surface, comprising scanning the vessel surface with a thermal imaging camera and recording the position of the or each region for which the thermal image from the camera is indicative of such a temperature differential across the region. The spatial temperature differential may be formed by bacterial growth on the vessel surface; alternatively, it may be the result of defects in the vessel wall such as thin regions or pin holes or cracks. The detection of leaks through the vessel wall may be enhanced by applying a pressure differential or a temperature differential across the vessel wall; the testing for leaks may be performed with the vessel full or empty, and from the inside or the outside.