I NSTRUCTION S HEET

Visolite Leak Detection System

Using The Wand
Carefully unpack and inspect the wand for possible damage during shipment. If any damage is
found, notify BHA immediately before attempting to use the wand.
Check the wand's performance as soon as possible according to the General Functional Checks outlined in the instruction sheet enclosed with the wand.
Follow the instructions enclosed with the Visolite wand. Four different lights are available including a
cordless, rechargeable light to a high intensity spotlight. A brief description of each can be found on
the reverse side of this instruction sheet. Contact your BHA representative for more information.

Getting Started
1. Locate an inlet port in the dirty air stream to the baghouse (on negative side of fan) just before the
baghouse inlet. The port should be at least 3" in diameter. If Visolite test is being done on a new
collector or one that has just been rebagged, go to step no. 3.
2. When doing a Visolite test on a unit that has been in use, turn off the bag cleaning mechanism
leaving a dustcake on the bag to give a high pressure differential between the clean and dirty side
of the bag. This will encourage tracer compound to flow through any holes. Visually check the
clean air plenum for heavy dust buildup and remove if possible so it won't hide the Visolite powder that will mark the leakage points.
3. Start the fan and introduce 1 pound of tracer compound per 1,000 square feet of filter cloth. (On
positive pressure systems, inject before the fan. The quantity of tracer compound required may
vary depending on the length of the ductwork from the fan to the baghouse. Contact BHA for recommended usage.)
4. After injection of the powder, the fan should be left on for approximately 45 seconds, but no
longer than one minute. After shutting the fan off, inspect, using the Viso wand. For pulse type
units, inspection requires opening the top door and shining the light over the clean air plenum.
(Note: Test must be performed in darkness for outside inspections.)
WARNING: This environment meets the definition of a confined spaceas outlined in 29
C.F.R. 1910.146. Entry should conform with the
requirements as stated in the above referenced
standard. In addition to these precautions lockout practices must also be assessed to ensure
the safety of all associated personnel. Check
with your safety personnel on all required precautions and protective equipment prior to
entry.
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K6MK021

12/30/96

For shaker or reverse air units, inspection takes place from the inside, starting with the lower level and
concentrating the light around the thimble sheet.
5. Areas where leaks or holes exist allow the tracer compound to pass through to the clean side of the
bag where it fluoresces brilliantly when exposed to light from the Viso wand. These areas of fluorescence mark the location of leaks. Bleedthrough of the tracer compound that sometimes occurs in
woven material or bags that have been in service a long time, may give the appearance of a ruptured bag. You will quickly learn to differentiate between the two effects.
6. After all repairs have been completed, rerun the Visolite test using a different contrasting color to
ensure that no leaks remain. The second color will clearly show any areas that may have been
missed.

BHA offers a variety of "Viso Lights"

The portable, cordless Visolite wand included in the kit is rechargeable and uses
NI-CAD batteries. It recharges in six hours and has an effective charge life of 2-3 hours. This
model is specifically designed for pulse-jet baghouses because of its ability to be used in hard to
reach areas. (P/N 8260080)
The Viso Wand is a corded 110V unit suitable for use in all baghouses. (P/N 8260042)
The Super Wand has a long, cylindrical shape that enables it to be dropped inside the bag or
between bags. This 110V light is two feet in length with a 25-foot cord.
(P/N 8260065)
The Big Light is used in structural baghouses due to its larger size and increased power. This high
intensity beam works even in brightly lit areas and has a built-in bulb-saver that extends its life. It
is light weight with a 20-foot cord. (P/N 8260082)
Caution:
For the best results use only BHA components. Visolite tracer compound is specially formulated for
each application to account for temperature, type of bags, and nature of dust. Use of other powders
may permanently damage bags, particularly on high temperature applications or in corrosive atmospheres. Remove powder from cracks in metal before welding. Visolite does not contain formaldehyde as other products on the market do.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO AVAILABLE

K6MK021
PN/350-0041

12/30/96

Injecting Visolite in Reverse Air and Shaker Baghouses

The Visolite Leak Detection System was developed by BHA to reduce the time plant personnel
spent identifying leaks in failed bags. Previously, each bag was inspected manually for tears, holes
and leaking seams which took many hours and was often inaccurate. In addition, structural air leaks
in the system such as weld cracks and misfitting metal enclosure covers could not be detected unless
they were clearly visible. The procedure also involved extensive exposure of maintenance personnel
to a highly dusty atmosphere. Visolite helps solve these conventional problems. Below are injection
guidelines for best distribution of Visolite into the compartment.

Hopper Side Wall

Insulation and sheet

metal lagging.

3 or 4" diameter x 6" long

pipe nipple with female
quick disconnect coupling.
Inlet ductwork/elbow.
Visolite can be injected
here.

Poke hole port, usually 3" or

4" diameter. Location is too
low to inject Visolite - velocity won't be strong enough to
carry Visolite to top section
of bags.
Airlock or
slide gate.

K6MK021
PN/350-0041

High on hopper wall

3" or 4" diameter x 6" long
pipe nipple with female quick
disconnect coupling. Visolite
can be injected here.

Hopper door
lockout procedures usually
won't allow this access door
to be open while dampers are
open or fan is running.

To ash removal system.

12/30/96

Visolite Tracer Compound Usage Formula

To determine the quantity of tracer compound needed to run one Visolite test, simply follow the formula below.
Formula:
Diameter in inches (A) x 3.14 x Length in feet (B) 12 x # of filter bags (C) = Sq. Ft. cloth area (D) .
Since 1 lb. of Visolite powder per 1000 sq. ft. of filter cloth is required *, then (D) 1000 = # of lbs.
required for test.
Example:
(A) Diameter = 5", (B) Length = 8', (C) # of bags = 350
5" x 3.14 x 8' 12 x 350 = (D)3663 sq. ft.
3663 1000 = 3.7 lbs. of Visolite powder (in this case, round up to 4 lbs.).
Note:
If the square footage of filter cloth per compartment or baghouse is already known, simply divide by
1000 to obtain the number of pounds of Visolite powder to use.
* On positive pressure systems, inject tracer compound before the fan. Quantity of tracer compound
may vary depending on length of ductwork between the fan and the baghouse. Contact BHA for recommended usage.

Comparison of Manual Vs Fluorescent Tracer Baghouse Inspection Methods

Manual Inspection

Fluorescent Inspection

Personnel
Requirements

4 Operators
1 Supervisor

2 Operators
1/2 Supervisor

50%

Single Inspection
Time

40 Hours
200 Man-Hours

5 Hours
12.5 Man-Hours

94%

Total Man-Hours
(Yearly)

800 (200 MH x 4 times

per year)

50 (12.5 MH x 4 times
per year)

94%

Material & Labor

(Yearly)

$12,1601

$1,5602

87%

Fair- Identification
Incomplete Due To:
1. Technique
2. Poor Working
Conditions

ExcellentProvides Positive
Identification of
All Bag Failures,
Deteriorations and Welds

Parameter

Results

1
2

Based on operator pay scale of $104/day and supervisor rate of $192/day.

Includes $800 for fluorescent material.
Above figures are based on 1994 costs.

8800 E. 63rd St. Kansas City, MO 64133 USA +1-816-356-8400 Fax +1-816-353-1873 800-821-2222 www.bhagroup.com

% Reduction