Patent ID: 6401465
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
An absorption chiller system with automatic leak detection and which may have leaks therein located quickly, comprising:an absorption chiller having metal parts and an exterior surface, and containing a water vapor absorbing fluid at pressure well below atmospheric pressure, said fluid, in the presence of air that has leaked into the chiller, corroding said metal parts, which in turn release hydrogen gas; a hydrogen detector disposed in fluid communication with the interior of said chiller, thereby to provide a measure of the concentration of hydrogen in said interior, an increase in said concentration being indicative of a leak; a helium sprayer for spraying said external surface with helium; and a helium detector in fluid communication with the interior of said chiller to detect an increase in helium concentration within said chiller, thereby indicating proximity of said sprayer to a leak, said fluid communication including at least one of (a) a membrane that passes light gases but blocks liquid water and water vapor and (b) a water vapor trap.