Atlas: development of a low cost on-line steam leak detection system

Abstract

For many years many industries, large and small, have been running with boiler systems with poor efficiency not only due to their design but also due to poorly maintained steam distribution systems. This may not be solely due to a poor maintenance strategy, it is possible for leaks to be hidden from view due to the heavy insulation that normally surrounds steam pipes. In fact tubes inside the boiler are not visible at all from the outside! Many compares are in fact not aware of the financial losses being incurred and it is only in this recent climate of reducing overall costs and extending lifetimes of equipment that attention is being put on investigating and improving of existing systems. From talking to representatives in industry (user and site visits) current estimates indicate that approximately £1/4 million is lost by industry each year due to leaks