Leak Detection System
Monitor leaks to ensure plant safety
Having a state-of-the-art leak detection system (LDS) in urea plants is not an option – it is a necessity.
Severe conditions in the synthesis section of the plant constantly affect the protective liners that cover the carbon steel high-pressure equipment. Over time, these liners become thinner, potentially causing ammonium carbamate to leak and leading to corrosion.
In case of a leak, a hazardous situation can happen, placing in danger your staff, equipment, and the surrounding environment. But this can be prevented with a reliable leak detection system.
Why Leak Detection Monitoring?
The loose liners protecting the carbon steel vessel with time become vulnerable to the following types of corrosion:
- Crevice corrosion
- Corrosion in the Heat Affected Zones (HAZ)
- Condensation corrosion
- Fatigue crevices
If there is a leak in the protective lining and ammonium carbamate reaches the carbon steel vessel, active corrosion takes place at a rapid speed and plant operations must be stopped immediately.
Timely detection of a liner leakage can not only reduce damages to equipment but, most importantly, protect the health and safety of plant staff.
Benefits of a Reliable LDS
A proven industrial LDS is critical for ensuring the safe operation of lined high-pressure equipment. The system monitors the lining continuously and triggers an alarm when detecting a leak, also indicating its location.
By installing an LDS, you get the following benefits:
- Use a single system for more than one piece of high-pressure equipment
- Monitor for leaks continuously
- Achieve a quick response time (under 60 minutes)
- Increase the lifetime of your high-pressure equipment
- Significantly lower repair costs, if any
- Reduce turndown period and production losses
A reliable system can update you continuously on the integrity of protective liners during everyday plant operations, although it does not replace a complete and careful inspection of liners during a normal turnaround.
Types of Leak Detection Systems
Choose between the three types of LDS we offer:
Pressurized | Vacuum | Combined |
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Stamicarbon recommends using a pressurized leak detection system for all high-pressure equipment with passageways (grooves).
Our pressurized LDS is easy to use and maintain, providing immediate flowmeter readings in case of a passageway blockage behind the liner, which is only possible to identify with periodic tests in vacuum or hybrid systems.
A pressurized system also prevents the risk of false alarms caused by ambient air containing ammonia entering the tubing in case of a tube leakage.
A leak detection system is crucial for safe plant operations, so it needs to be inspected regularly. And as the high-pressure equipment ages and its protective lining becomes thinner, a high-quality system becomes even more critical.
Our systems are compatible with both new and existing (older) high-pressure equipment. We can also provide additional services, including:
- Inspection of your current leak detection system
- Assistance with installation, commissioning, and start-up
- Training of operators and technicians
- Troubleshooting support
In the event of a leak, Stamicarbon can also help repair damaged equipment and perform equipment relining to replace corroded liners.
Contact us to receive more information about the most suitable LDS for your plant.
Leaflets
Our leak Detection System that continuously monitor leaks in the lining of High Pressure equipment to ensure safe operation.