[en] The development of the leak-tightness concept and the industrial sectors mainly concerned are reviewed, after which the various methods of leak detection are outlined briefly. The extent to which gases such as ammonia, freon, sulfur hexafluoride and helium are used, generally involving the use of specific detectors, leads to considerations on the principles of leak detection by tracer gas. Practical applications are discussed with regard to criteria of choice, sensitivity required and cost price. Finally the possibilities of using detection methods for industrial purposes are pointed out. They imply that equipment called on to fulfil tightness criteria can be designed to account for certain factors necessary for successful application of the detection methods chosen

[en] Using a model cask with typical dimensions, typical radioactive contents and a typical sealing system, some general aspects of its leaktightness assessment will be outlined quantitatively. Taking into account molecular as well as viscous-laminar gas flow it will be shown that under pessimistic assumptions standard helium leakage rates less than some 10^-2 mbar . 1/s for transport and less than some 10^-4 mbar . 1/s for accident conditions must be guaranteed in order to meet the activity release limits required by the 1973 IAEA Regulations. Realistic calculations of the tritium activity release show that the contribution of tritium permeation through the cask wall is negligibly small even for storage times up to 40 a. Finally some radiation protection considerations concerning the relationship between activity release and radiation exposure will be presented. On the basis of these considerations we recommend to retain the activity leakage rate limit of 10^-3A₂ per week after Type B tests as it is requested in the 1973 IAEA Regulations. 13 references, 10 figures

[en] The standard is to be applied on the acceptance test, on the commissioning test, as well as on the in-service inspections of glove boxes according to DIN 25412 part 1. The purpose of these specifications is to give uniform principles on methods for testing the tightness of glove boxes to manufactures, suppliers, users, and the competent authorities and to determine the leak rate. (orig.)

No abstract available

[en] It has been found that fuel pin leakage can be rapidly determined without removing the fuel pin from the reactor core by measuring the vibrational characteristics of a flexible means located in a specially constructed upper end cap assembly. (author)

[en] The volume of a cavity, such as a cylinder and a piston, connected to the enclosure (glovebox or reactor containment shell) is varied to find back the previous pressure difference with the outside (positive or negative). Thermometers and a barometer are provided for eventual corrections

[en] A classification of limiting enclosures according to their tightness is given. This can applied to enclosures or series of enclosures intended for work on radioactive products, toxic or dangerous products, materials sensitive to atmospheric components and work in sterile environment

No abstract available

[en] The vessel contains a mix of several gases. This gas mix is made to flow through a closed circuit whilst maintaining a constant relative pressure inside the vessel. This closed circuit includes a gas analyzing apparatus which makes it possible to measure the amount of one of the gases in the mix, this gas being called ''reference gas'', then at a preset frequency the determination is made again in order to determine the change in this amount over time. Application to the testing of leak tightness

[en] A theoretical study of the flow of a carrier-tracer mixture in a leak is presented. It is based on the adaptation of Knudsen's equation to thin capillaries. This theory is applied to the case of a leak comparable to a capillary of unit length in CGS units latting through a flow of air at 20 deg C