Cooling-Water Oil Leak Detection
Monitor cooling-water hydrocarbon changes to support earlier investigation of heat-exchanger leaks and process contamination.
Watch for contamination between manual checks
Oil contamination in a cooling-water stream can be an indication that a process fluid has entered the water system. Continuous monitoring can support investigation when an event occurs between scheduled samples, provided the measurement point and alarm strategy reflect the way the cooling circuit operates.
The TD-120 is a starting point for fluorescence-based oil leak detection in water. PMA can review the suspected process fluid, normal background and sample conditions before recommending a configuration. Detection is not a guarantee of leak prevention or equipment protection; the alarm must form part of a defined site response.
Explore the relevant products
TD-120 continuous monitoring
Follow hydrocarbon changes at a selected cooling-water sampling point and integrate the result into the plant monitoring arrangement.
Portable investigation
Use appropriate portable analysis to compare collected samples when investigating an alarm. Choose TD-550 or TD-560 according to the oil target.
Design the installation around the cooling circuit
Locate the useful sampling point
Consider whether monitoring an individual exchanger return or a common header best answers the operating question. Mixing and dilution can change the concentration reaching a common point, while separate points can help narrow an investigation.
Account for the complete response
Review the sample-line route, flow and conditioning requirements. A responsive sensor does not remove transport delay. The installation should be assessed against the event duration and the time available for an operator to act.
Set a meaningful alarm procedure
Establish normal background under representative operating conditions and consider the likely contaminating fluid. Agree how an alarm will be checked, who will investigate and which follow-up samples or maintenance actions are required.
Frequently asked questions
Can the TD-120 detect an oil leak from a heat exchanger?
It can be evaluated for detecting hydrocarbon changes in the sampled cooling water. Suitability depends on the process fluid, concentration, optical response, sampling location and operating conditions. Discuss these details with PMA before specification.
Will it show which exchanger is leaking?
Not automatically. A monitor on a combined return describes that combined stream. Locating a source may require separate monitoring points, plant information and portable sample checks.
Should the alarm be set as low as possible?
Not without reviewing the application. The useful threshold depends on normal background, measurement capability and the action required. An alarm strategy should help operators distinguish a meaningful change from normal variation.
What information does PMA need?
Provide a cooling-circuit description, the process fluids that could leak, expected background, temperature, pressure and sample flow. Include the proposed sampling point, output requirements and the intended response to a high reading.
Related monitoring options
Start with the oil-in-water monitor guide for a complete view of continuous monitoring, portable analysis, sampling, calibration and operator response.
Online Oil-in-Water Monitors
Follow hydrocarbon changes continuously, support process alarms and investigate contamination between routine grab samples.
Portable Oil-in-Water Analysers
Choose portable oil-in-water analysis for grab samples, treatment checks and investigations across multiple sampling points.
Refinery Wastewater Oil Monitoring
Investigate hydrocarbon carryover in refinery wastewater and choose monitoring around the stream, oil and operating decision.
Portable vs online
Understand the differences between collected-sample testing and continuous monitoring.
Discuss your application with PMA
Share the cooling circuit, likely contaminant and proposed sampling point. PMA can help review a monitoring arrangement and an appropriate verification workflow.