Prospects of using a sensor operating on surface acoustic waves for leak hunting

Abstract

A brief review of leak hunting methods is presented as well as some estimates of sensitivity thresholds and other properties for different methods. It is shown that gas-analysis methods are of particular interest due to their high sensitivity and universality. The main problematic properties of these methods such as, mainly, their bulkiness and instantaneous nature of testing are formulated. Taking the above into account, the use of solid-state sensors is justified in designing gas-analysis leak-hunting systems, including systems that operate alongside technological equipment and use fumes of working substances inside the equipment as tracer leak-hunting gases. A sensor operating on surface acoustic waves (SAW-sensor) is considered as one of the most promising sensors.