Below is a case study we kindly received from John Wilkinson (efficiency engineer) at EDF Energy, who is based at West Burton Power Station. John is a user of the Ultraprobe, and has been very successful in finding those elusive air in-leakage problems.

Please note that the following case study was considered true and correct at the time of publication, and has been amended slightly to improve readability.

"I regularly use the Ultraprobe to track down condenser air in-leakage in the lead-bursting diaphragms on low-pressure turbine cylinders.

These cylinders consist of twelve, three foot diameter lead discs at the bottom of a two foot tall chimney (with a top safety grill secured by twelve set screws). Under normal operation, these discs are subject to pressure fluctuations, which can cause fine cracking and air in-leakage, reducing the performance of the turbine condenser.

Removing the one-hundred plus safety grill set screws has always been a chore for us, until I hit upon the idea of using the Ultraprobe, the rubber focusing probe and an additional twelve inch tube pushed into the end (a glass thermometer plastic storage tube).

This tube could be quickly inserted through the grills close to the suspect leakage areas. The leaking discs could then be quickly indentified for repair, without the time-consuming exercise of removing the safety grills. Previously, high levels of extraneous turbine noise caused difficulties, unless we were close to the leak, which in turn required removal of the safety grill."

If you have a success story that you would like to share with us and fellow readers, or if you would like to discuss any of this further, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.