Innovative method of radiotracer data analysis to identify leaky heat exchangers

Abstract

The radiotracers are most widely used in the petrochemical industries to identify leaky heat exchangers. Gamma radiation transmitted by radiotracer is detected at strategic locations and recorded as data. This data is analyzed using a standard graph-based method. However, understanding the leakage problems from graphs is not always straightforward. Its success depends on the knowledge, experience, and skill of the interpreter who identifies the leakage. The unavailability of a better alternative has motivated the development of a new data analysis method. The paper describes a new innovative method of data analysis developed to identify leaky heat exchangers and quantify the leak rate. The method focuses on the analysis of time-domain data by transforming it into the frequency domain. The main objective of this alternate method is to support the determination of leaky heat exchangers from radiotracer data. It also aims to analyse data quantitatively and improve the overall performance of the investigation. A step-by-step approach to data analysis is developed by identifying specific requirements. The method is tested and evaluated successfully. It is observed that the new way of radiotracer data analysis gives better results without drawing the graphs. Moreover, it supports quantitative analysis of data rather than qualitative.