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Қолдану2025 ж. 10 қаңтар

Finding Compressed Air Leaks at a Petrochemical Plant

Five compressor rooms, 150+ connections: how LEAKChecker and SDT270 found hidden compressed air leaks at a petrochemical plant and paid for themselves within the first week of the survey.

Мақала орыс тілінде

Мақаланың толық мәтіні қазіргі уақытта орыс тілінде жарияланған. Аударма дайындалуда — толық мәтін үшін орыс нұсқасына өтіңіз.

Орыс тілінде оқу

The challenge

A petrochemical plant was facing high costs to produce compressed air. A preliminary assessment indicated significant leaks in the system.

Equipment

The following tools were used:

  • LEAKChecker — a dedicated leak detector
  • SDT270 — for documentation and quantification
  • LEAKReporter software — for cost calculation

The process

1. System audit

Five compressor stations were inspected:

  • 150+ connections and fittings
  • 50 control valves
  • 30 pneumatic instruments

2. Leak detection

47 leaks of varying severity were found:

Size Count Loss (kW) Cost/year
Small (<1 mm) 28 0.5 kW each $200
Medium (1–3 mm) 15 2 kW each $800
Large (>3 mm) 4 8 kW each $3,200

Total losses: 75 kW, cost: $37,600/year

3. Prioritization

Leaks were classified by criticality:

  • 🔴 Critical (immediate repair) — 4
  • 🟡 Important (within a month) — 15
  • 🟢 Scheduled (next maintenance) — 28

Results

Savings

  • Energy: 612,000 kWh/year
  • Money: $37,600/year
  • CO2: 150 tonnes/year

Payback

  • LEAKChecker cost: $2,500
  • Payback period: 1 month

Additional benefits

  1. Reduced load on the compressors
  2. Longer equipment service life
  3. Higher reliability of pneumatic systems
  4. Lower noise levels in production areas

Recommendations

  1. Monthly ultrasonic monitoring
  2. Training of LEAKChecker operators
  3. Inclusion in the predictive maintenance program
  4. Consider permanent monitoring for critical zones