Patent ID: 6851316
Filing Date: 2005-02-08
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A method for recovering and recycling a tracer gas from one or more test parts, the method comprising: A. providing an apparatus comprising: B. introducing a tracer gas into the one or more test parts through the gas supply valve that is in fluid communication with the test part; C. evacuating at least a portion of the tracer gas from the one or more test parts through the gas discharge valve that is in fluid communication with the test part and into the recovered tracer gas storage means; D. analyzing the recovered tracer gas with at least one of the first pressure analysis means and the first gas composition analysis means to determine at least one of pressure and contaminant concentration of the recovered tracer gas; E. evacuating at least a portion of the recovered tracer gas from the recovered tracer gas storage means, adding virgin tracer gas from the virgin tracer gas storage means to the recovered and analyzed tracer gas to produce a blended tracer gas, and analyzing a quality of the blended tracer gas using the second gas composition analysis means to determine the contaminant concentration of the blended tracer gas; F. delivering the blended tracer gas to the blended tracer gas storage means, and further determining the quality of the blend tracer gas by measuring the pressure, temperature and contaminant concentration of the blended tracer gas using the second pressure analysis means, the temperature analysis means, and the second gas composition analysis means, respectively; and G. returning the blended tracer gas from the blended tracer gas storage means to the one or more test parts; wherein (i) blended tracer gas continuously circulates within the apparatus regardless of whether the gas supply and discharge valves to the test parts are open or closed, (ii) movement of the tracer gas throughout the apparatus is a result of the operation of the compressor, and (iii) if the gas supply valve to a test part is closed, then at least a portion of the blended tracer gas is recycled backed to the blended tracer gas storage means through the by-pass loop.