Gas leakage rates are quantitatively estimated using threaded and flanged fittings by standardizing bubble appearance. Three classes of bubble formations have been proposed

Decastra, J. E.

Wells, F. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

October 1968	 Brief 68-10393 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia.22151. 
Determining Gas Leakage from Bubble Formations 
1
Gas leaks from fittings joined to pipelines are 
commonly detected with various liquid leak-detection 
agents applied to the joints. Evidence of leaks is 
provided by the appearance of bubbles at the joints, 
and estimation of the leak rate from observation of 
the bubbles has been entirely subjective. Description I of leaks from bubble observations has varied from 
person to person performing the tests to the extent 
that the results have had little quantitative signifi-
cance. 
A series of measurements was performed with 
threaded and flanged fittings, using a commercial 
leak-detection agent, in an effort to establish stand-
ards of bubble appearance that would allow quanti-
tative estimation of the leakage rates. As a result of 
these tests standards have been proposed for three 
classes of bubble formation on both threaded and 
flanged joints. Estimated approximate leak rates in 
standard cubic inches per minute for each bubble 
class and joint type are given below.
Threaded Joint
	 Flanged Joint 
Class 1 ................0.001 to 0.4
	 0.001 to 1.3 
Class 2 ................0.4 to 2.8
	 1.3 to 4.0 
Class 3 ................2.8 to 47.0
	 4.0 to 50.0 
Note: 
Details concerning the standardization procedure 
and bubble appearance in each class may be obtained 
from:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B68-10393 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: J. E. Decastra 
and F. E. Wells
(MFS-14841) 
Category 05 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
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Determining gas leakage from bubble formations

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