Method and apparatus for detecting leaks

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In a method of testing the gas-tightness of walls defining a closed chamber a hollow member of resiliently flexible material is inserted into the chamber. A liquid is introduced into the hollow member until the hollow member substantially fills the chamber. A test gas is then introduced into the space defined between the hollow member and the chamber walls. Escape of any test gas from the chamber is then sensed by loss of gas pressure in the chamber or the presence of test gas outside the chamber. The presence of the liquid-filled hollow member reduces the amount of test gas needed and the associated risks and cost. The chamber may be defined between segments of oil well pipe casing …