Accurate Leak Detection with Diffusion Technology

The hydrogen gas sensor incorporated in the Sentrac leak detector relies on diffusion. Diffusion is the natural movement of molecules from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration. In the case of hydrogen sensors, when hydrogen gas is present in the air, it diffuses into the sensor. “The diffusion process brings hydrogen molecules to the sensor's active detection area, where a reaction occurs.” - explains Fredrik Enquist, Development Manager, New Technologies and Applications, INFICON AB. “The H₂ sensor incorporated in the Sentrac leak detector is a proprietary microelectronic sensor with unrivalled selectivity towards hydrogen. This sensor splits the hydrogen molecules into atoms that penetrates the active metal electrode of the sensor and is subsequently detected as a voltage shift. No chemical reactions involved”, continues Enquist.

The efficiency of diffusion is crucial for the leak detector performance, determining how quickly and accurately it can detect hydrogen concentrations in the environment.

Users can immediately notice that the search signal increases as the leak is approached, and decreases immediately as the hand probe is moved away from it. The hydrogen sensor used in Sentrac makes pinpointing the exact location of the leak extremely easy, even in environments where leaks have built up very high levels of gas in the background.

One of the most significant advantages of Sentrac leak detector is its ability to recover and adjust after encountering large leaks. Many devices struggle to regain accuracy once exposed to such significant leaks. Sentrac’s unique technology ensures quick recovery, even after detecting large leaks. This makes this device ideal for testing parts that should be fluid or oil tight (5x10^-2 to 5x10^-3  mbarl/s) as well as in applications where much smaller leaks must be detected.

"Sentrac is a great tool for cost-efficient, yet reliable leak location. Its advanced diffusion technology, combined with its broad measurement range, ensures that you can trust it to provide accurate results”, says Enquist. The ability to handle large leaks, coupled with its cost-effective pricing for less critical applications, makes Sentrac the cost-efficient choice for professional leak location where precise and reliable results are needed every time.