Are you damaging your system?

Advanced Engineering issues warning on solvent-based leak detection dyes

If you are using a solvent-based fluorescent dye for leak detection, you could be damaging your air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

This is the conclusion reached by experts at Advanced Engineering, who believe that only one dye on the market – Spectroline’s AR-GLO™ – is solvent-free.

“The significance of this revelation lies in the fact that solvent-based dyes can actually impair the properties of an air conditioning or refrigeration system’s lubricant, resulting in diminished viscosity and lubricity,” says Janey Parker, Marketing Manager for Advanced. “This could lead to equipment damage or premature failure of the system’s components.

“According to our research, AR-GLO is the only dye on the market which does not contain solvents. Instead, its exceptional solubility is based on its unusual physical properties. This is a unique and extremely significant advantage which may have been overlooked until now by some AC&R service engineers.”

Three related drawbacks of alternative dyes should make engineers even more wary, warns Advanced. The first is that, unlike AR-GLO, they are not miscible in R-134a and other CFC, HFC or HCFC refrigerants – another problem which may possibly cause damage. The second is that some contain hazardous substances such as naphthalene. Finally, the alternative dyes are nowhere near as concentrated as AR-GLO. This means that much larger amounts must be added to the systems, with potentially significant effects on viscosity, lubricity, miscibility and heat transfer.

“End users can introduce AR-GLO with total confidence that it will not damage your systems or risk the health of your staff,” says Janey Parker. “Crucially, AR-GLO is approved by leading OEMs in almost every industrial sector – which means complete peace of mind and no compromise to warranties.”

Starter kit

For those wishing to avoid the dangers highlighted by Advanced, a handy Spectroline starter kit, TLK-100BZ/FB, is available. It includes a leak detection lamp, fluorescence enhancing glasses, a rechargeable battery and charger, some UV dye cleaner/remover, an AR-GLO dye cartridge, an injector and a convenient storage/carry case.

The simple procedure involved in Spectroline fluorescent leak detection is as follows. A small amount of fluorescent dye is added to the system and allowed to circulate. In the event of a leak, the dye escapes with the system’s fluid and remains at all leak sites – even if all the fluid has been lost from the system. Scanning with a hand-held Spectroline UV or UV/blue inspection lamp makes the dye fluoresce a bright yellow-green colour, allowing the exact source of every leak to be pinpointed.