UE Systems Ultrasonic Detection Equipment

The High Cost of Procrastination

Estimates of loss/year costs of air and Nitrogen have become staggering. the cost savings of the relatively simple project of repairing leaks are tremendous.

The estimated cost per year of on 1/8" air leak is $2,980.00.* If only one 1/8" air leak was assumed for each of the main plant areas, the total annual loss cost would be approximately $23,840.00.* Nitrogen leaks are even more expensive events. One Nitrogen leak of only 1/16" costs a whopping $10,700.00(est)** per annum. If we use the air leak scenario for the 1/16" Nitrogen leak, the loss cost would be almost $75,000.00. A larger tank such as a broken 1/4" OD instrument line will cost a plant $ 270.00 per day. THAT'S OVER $90,000.00 per year in Nitrogen for ONE leak.

A total savings of nearly $1,000,000.00 annually just for repairing fourteen or so small leaks . . . a fair return. There are likely more than that when one considers the total number of possible leak sources there are in some plants. The savings is more than sufficient to cover and definitely justifies the cost of the repair staff, the detection equipment, all the tools, a manlift and the materials needed to make the repairs.

Under these circumstances and with the costs involved in today's competitive market, a leak detection program must be an imperative. As the program progresses, routine leak monitoring could and should be undertaken to assure that a high level of line leakage does not again become a source of loss to the plant.

*air leak costs based on 100 psig, $0.22/MCF, 867 hrs/yr

**Nitrogen leak costs based on 150 psig, $0.214/MCF, 8670 hrs/hr
(industry standards for leakage and nominal area charges for Nitrogen. cost/MCF often INCREASES with excessive consumption)