Portable On‑site Leak Detection

Q: Can the detector be used for tracer gas leak testing of large vessels or pipelines?

Absolutely. For large systems, we recommend the 'spray and sniff' method: fill the vessel with a helium‑nitrogen mixture (typically 5–10% He) to a slight positive pressure, then use the sniffer probe over suspected areas. For buried pipelines, helium can be injected upstream, and the sniffer detects surface migration. Our instruments include a real‑time background subtraction feature that compensates for natural helium fluctuations, enabling detection even with ppm‑level tracer concentrations. For quantitative leak rate estimation, use the vacuum mode with a temporary connection to the system.

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Field maintenance of vacuum systems and pressure vessels demands leak detection equipment that is both sensitive and survivable. AIMRSE portable helium mass spectrometer leak detectors combine laboratory‑grade sensitivity (1×10⁻⁹ Pa·m³/s in sniffer mode) with ruggedized enclosures, long‑life batteries, and intuitive one‑button operation. Designed for petrochemical pipelines, refrigeration plant maintenance, vacuum furnace field repairs, and aerospace ground support, our instruments feature automatic background drift compensation, integrated dry backing pumps, and wireless data logging. The lightweight (≤12 kg) backpack or trolley configuration allows a single technician to perform accurate leak location and quantification in harsh environments — from offshore platforms to high‑altitude test stands. Every unit ships with NIST‑traceable calibration and field‑replaceable sensor modules.

Request a Field Demo

Our application engineers will bring a portable leak detector to your site — demonstrate sensitivity, response time, and ruggedness under your real conditions.

Loaner units available during calibration or repair

Field‑Ready Engineering Priorities

True Portability & Battery Life

Weight under 12 kg including integrated dry backing pump. Hot‑swappable battery provides 8+ hours of continuous sniffer operation. No external power required for full‑shift field work.

Harsh Environment Survivability

IP54 rated enclosure, operating temperature ‑10°C to +45°C, humidity tolerance 0–95% non‑condensing. Shock‑absorbing case and sealed connectors resist dust, rain, and vibration.

Real‑Time Background Compensation

Ambient helium fluctuations (from degassing welds or tracer gas residue) are automatically subtracted. Adaptive filtering ensures false‑alarm‑free detection even in noisy industrial environments.

Portable Leak Detection Field Workflow

From initial site survey to certified repair verification — systematic and documented.

Site & Risk Assessment

Identify access points, background helium sources, and safety requirements.

Tracer Gas Introduction

Inject helium (or helium‑N₂ mix) into test object, pressurize if needed.

Sniffer Scanning

Systematic probe movement over flanges, welds, seals — data logging active.

Leak Localization & Quantification

Pinpoint peak signal, record leak rate, mark location for repair.

Post‑Repair Verification

Rescan repaired area, confirm leak rate below acceptable limit.

Reporting & Certification

Generate PDF report with leak rates, GPS location, and technician signature.

The Advantages of AIMRSE

Engineered for field reliability, operator simplicity, and lab‑grade sensitivity — anywhere.

Lab Sensitivity in the Field

1×10⁻⁹ Pa·m³/s sniffer sensitivity — same as benchtop instruments. Detects leaks smaller than 0.001 sccm.

Rugged & Weatherproof

IP54 rating, shock‑mounted case, and sealed connectors. Operates from ‑10°C to +45°C, 95% humidity.

One‑Button Simplicity

Intuitive color touchscreen with guided workflow. Automatic zero, range selection, and data logging — minimal training required.

US‑Based Calibration & Loaner Pool

Annual NIST‑traceable calibration with 5‑day turnaround. Loaner units shipped overnight during service — no downtime.

Field Proven Applications

Real‑world portable leak detection success stories from pipelines to aerospace.

Underground Gas Pipeline Leak Localization

Texas, USA

A natural gas pipeline operator suspected a slow leak along a 3 km buried section. Using AIMRSE portable helium sniffer with tracer gas injection, the field crew located a pinhole leak at a welded joint within four hours — avoiding a costly excavation of the entire segment.

Industrial Refrigeration Plant Survey

Illinois, USA

A cold storage facility was losing 15% of refrigerant charge annually. The maintenance team used our portable helium detector to scan 300+ fittings, valves, and brazed joints. Six micro‑leaks were found and repaired, reducing annual refrigerant loss to under 1%.

On‑site Vacuum Furnace Leak Repair

Ohio, USA

A heat‑treating facility experienced unacceptable pressure rise in their 10⁻⁵ mbar furnace. Using our portable detector in vacuum mode, the technician traced a leak to a corroded CF flange gasket. The repair was completed in one shift, avoiding three days of factory service wait.

Aircraft Fuel Tank Leak Detection

Arizona, USA

An aerospace MRO provider needed to certify fuel tanks after repair. Our portable sniffer, with flexible probe extension, accessed tight baffle spaces and detected a 5 mbar·L/s leak at a sealant‑starved rivet — well below the 10 mbar·L/s reject limit. Repair verified immediately.

Customer Reviews

Real feedback from field service engineers and maintenance managers.

M**el M.

★★★★★

"Our AIMRSE portable helium leak detector has been dropped, exposed to rain, and run for 10-hour shifts in harsh field conditions—it never failed us. Switching between sniffer and vacuum modes without recalibration saves hours per job, and the built-in wireless data logging makes customer reports a breeze. This is absolutely the best investment we’ve made in field maintenance tools."

S**ah K.

★★★★★

"We used this portable leak detector to locate a tiny pinhole leak in a 3 km buried natural gas pipeline. With tracer gas injection and real-time background compensation, we found the leak at a welded joint in just four hours, avoiding full-segment excavation and huge costs. Its lab-grade sensitivity and rugged IP54 design work perfectly in offshore and outdoor environments."

D**id T.

★★★★★

"This instrument helped us cut annual refrigerant loss from 15% to under 1% at our cold storage plant. It quickly found six micro-leaks among 300+ fittings, valves and brazed joints. The intuitive one-button touchscreen, long-lasting hot-swappable battery, and integrated dry backing pump make on-site inspections fast and easy for any technician."

Technical FAQ

What is the minimum detectable leak rate in sniffer mode under field conditions?

In sniffer mode with a standard flexible probe, our portable instruments consistently detect leaks down to 1×10⁻⁹ Pa·m³/s (equivalent to 1×10⁻⁵ mbar·L/s or 0.0001 sccm) in typical field environments with reasonable helium background. With the optional high‑sensitivity probe (shorter, rigid), the practical limit improves to 5×10⁻¹⁰ Pa·m³/s. The ultimate laboratory sensitivity of 5×10⁻¹³ Pa·m³/s is achievable in sniffer mode only with extended averaging and minimal ambient helium — not typically needed for field work.

How long does the battery last, and can I swap it in the field?

The standard lithium‑ion battery pack provides 8 hours of continuous operation (sniffer mode with display brightness at 50%). A hot‑swappable spare battery is available; swapping takes less than 30 seconds without powering down the unit (internal supercapacitor maintains operation for up to 60 seconds). The battery can be recharged via AC mains or 12–24 VDC vehicle adapter. A full charge takes 3 hours.

Does the instrument require a separate backing pump or external roughing line?

No. Our portable units integrate a dry diaphragm backing pump directly inside the case. For sniffer mode, the pump draws sample gas through the probe at a fixed flow rate (0.5 L/min). For vacuum mode, the same pump evacuates the spectrometer cell. The integrated pump eliminates external hoses and power connections — simply connect the probe or test port and start. The pump is serviceable in the field; replacement cartridges are available.

Can the detector be used for tracer gas leak testing of large vessels or pipelines?

Absolutely. For large systems, we recommend the "spray and sniff" method: fill the vessel with a helium‑nitrogen mixture (typically 5–10% He) to a slight positive pressure, then use the sniffer probe over suspected areas. For buried pipelines, helium can be injected upstream, and the sniffer detects surface migration. Our instruments include a real‑time background subtraction feature that compensates for natural helium fluctuations, enabling detection even with ppm‑level tracer concentrations. For quantitative leak rate estimation, use the vacuum mode with a temporary connection to the system.

Featured Solutions

Note: Our vacuum equipment is for research and industrial testing only. Industrial-grade components are fully rated for field deployment.

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Portable On‑site Leak Detection

Request a Field Demo

Field‑Ready Engineering Priorities

True Portability & Battery Life

Harsh Environment Survivability

Real‑Time Background Compensation

Portable Leak Detection Field Workflow

The Advantages of AIMRSE

Lab Sensitivity in the Field

Rugged & Weatherproof

One‑Button Simplicity

US‑Based Calibration & Loaner Pool

Field Proven Applications

Underground Gas Pipeline Leak Localization

Industrial Refrigeration Plant Survey

On‑site Vacuum Furnace Leak Repair

Aircraft Fuel Tank Leak Detection

Customer Reviews

M**el M.

S**ah K.

D**id T.

Technical FAQ

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