BlueFin’s VULD Saves Significant Time on Louisiana LNG Project
A large liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer, with multiple plants along the Gulf Coast, required standard leak testing services during the commissioning and startup phase for their newest plant.
Initially, the project was commenced using the traditional “Soapy Bubble” testing method. However, BlueFin was granted permission to demonstrate the advantages of employing their Visual Ultrasonic Leak Detection (VULD) system, which significantly reduces the labor hours required for leak detection and inspection of inaccessible connections.
The VULD device, when operated by a trained technician, enables leak checking approximately ten times faster than a team of four technicians performing “soapy bubble” testing. This is achieved because the device does not necessitate physical presence at each connection.
When the client was formally asked what they thought, they responded with:
“It is amazing!”
“I’ll give it a thumbs up. It is a very nice piece of equipment and a lot more efficient and faster [than] the old school way.”
“I haven’t’ used it but the guys in the field state it is awesome [at] finding internal leaks.”
LOCATION
South Louisiana / Gulf Coast
SCOPE OF WORK
Leak testing during commissioning and leak detection during startup.
CHALLENGES
Physically inspecting a large quantity of connections with several constraints including high elevations, inaccessibility, congested workspaces, etc.
SOLUTION
BlueFin’s VULD device was able to save a significant amount of time during the leak testing efforts as well as during the commissioning and startup phase.
The VULD equipment offers non-contact leak detection up to 164 ft away from the technician performing the scan allowing for a significant increase in efficiency while simultaneously mitigating risk of physical harm to the technicians conducting the work.
TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENTS & BENEFITS
After observing the superior effectiveness and accuracy of the VULD system compared to the “Soapy Bubble” method, the client authorized its utilization as the primary leak detection method.
In addition to its impact on efficiency during the commissioning phase, the client requested that BlueFin provide the VULD on-site during startup to facilitate leak detection as product was introduced into the system. BlueFin was able to fulfill this request, as the equipment is intrinsically safe and capable of detecting a wide range of gases beyond those typically used in leak testing scopes such as compressed air, nitrogen or helium. The equipment can also detect various other gas mediums, including methane, hydrogen, steam and even vacuum leaks.
BlueFin was onsite performing chemical cleaning and flushing services while a competitor was performing the initial pre-commissioning leak testing. Because the high quality of flushing and chemical cleaning, the customer asked BlueFin to assist with a system that was giving them trouble. During this exercise, BlueFin was able to demonstrate their value and was subsequently awarded the remaining pressure testing scopes as well as leak detection during startup.
