Glycol leak detection system

Paul Rabe; Keith Browne; Janus Brink; Christiaan J. Coetzee

doi:10.1117/12.2231396

27 July 2016 Glycol leak detection system

Paul Rabe, Keith Browne, Janus Brink, Christiaan J. Coetzee

Proceedings Volume 9906, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VI; 99065H (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231396
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

MonoEthylene glycol coolant is used extensively on the Southern African Large Telescope to cool components inside the telescope chamber. To prevent coolant leaks from causing serious damage to electronics and optics, a Glycol Leak Detection System was designed to automatically shut off valves in affected areas. After two years of research and development the use of leaf wetness sensors proved to work best and is currently operational. These sensors are placed at various critical points within the instrument payload that would trigger the leak detector controller, which closes the valves, and alerts the building management system. In this paper we describe the research of an initial concept and the final accepted implementation and the test results thereof.

Citation Download Citation

Paul Rabe, Keith Browne, Janus Brink, and Christiaan J. Coetzee "Glycol leak detection system", Proc. SPIE 9906, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VI, 99065H (27 July 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231396

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available