Location of condenser leaks at steam power plants. Technical planning study 78-775. Final report

The feasibility of using helium to locate water leaks in power plant surface condensers is demonstrated. Details of the necessary equipment and procedures are given. Results of measurements at two operating nuclear power plants are summarized. It is shown that the helium method can detect leaks smaller than 0.001 gpm, which is approximately 1/100 the size of leaks detectable by currently used methods. The helium method can also be used to estimate the position of the leak along the condenser tube.