Gappscan™

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should we examine the surface areas?

Because Gappscan does not require the heat exchangers to be disassembled and the test is very quick you can schedule inspections more frequently to suit your business needs.

We have seen people using dye penetrant to try to look for surface issues, why not use dye testing instead of Gappscan?

Dye penetrant testing requires the heat exchangers to be disassembled to inspect for holes and can take up to 48 hours to get results, as a non invasive integrity testing technology, Gappscan has no requirement to disassemble heat exchanger.

What are the environmental issues with testing using Gappscan?

Traditional methods have many environmental issues. Chemicals and dyes have to be manufactured for tests and disposed of afterwards, mainly into the plant effluent system and then into a watercourse. The Gappscan test uses water and is battery powered. Gappscan has little to no negative impact on the environment, addressing environmental concerns.

Can you prove the accuracy of the test?

Gappscan has been validated against known sized holes by external parties, confirming the accuracy of Gappscan. Dye testers may say that their method has been used for many years, so it must work, even though the procedure used is not a qualified test method.

How safe is the equipment that you will use for the tests?

Dye testers will mostly be carrying electrically operated equipment, either 110v, 240v or 415v while spraying dyes and water around vessels; electric shock is always a possibility. Additionally, the dyes and water have a viscous quality and create a risk of slipping or falling inside of the vessel. When spraying dyes, there is also an issue with inhalation. Gappscan, involves no viscous liquid and eliminates the above risks.

What safety steps should I take whilst using Gappscan?

No additional safety steps needed – its inherently safe.

How much downtime is needed for the Gappscan test?

The actual test takes less than 5 minutes.

I have different types of heat exchanger at my facility can I still use Gappscan?

Gappscan can be deployed on all types of heat exchangers including plate and tubular.

Would your method find cracks less than 10μm?

Yes, Gappscan has been shown to accurately identify cracks as small as 5μm.

Is your equipment calibrated and serviced regularly?

In accordance with EIT International’s ISO 9001 accreditation, all test equipment has unique numbering and is returned for annual upgrading when necessary, servicing and calibration.