Acceptable Leakage Rate of Chemical Plants

A definition of the acceptable leakage rate of a chemical plant has to be guided by the degree oftightness that is required. Colloquial descriptions like liquid-tight or gas-tight have to be transformed into measurable values. As a guideline Table 8.1 can be used. 

Colloquial statement of tightness Volume throughput leakage (mbarls h Mass flow leakage (kgh ) Explanations 

Water tight 10-2 10-3 No water droplets dripping from leak (other liquids nmy still escape ) 

Vapour-tight 10-3 10- No wetting of surrounding cold surfaces by escaping water vapour (still leaky for gases ( ) but not enough vapour escaping to show visible condensation) 

Bacteria tight 10- 10-2 At this measurable leakage rate 50% of bacteria are retained (real bacteria tightness is only achievable with a completely dry leak channel) 

---