Fluorescent Dyes Pinpoint Water Leaks

Spectronics, a manufacturer of ultraviolet equipment and fluorescent dyes, has launched Water-Glo fluorescent leak detection dyes. These super-bright dyes reveal all leaks in static and circulating water systems, boilers, storage tanks and other high-volume containers. They also locate leaks in piping, valves, condensers, sprinkler system pumps, seams, welds and fittings.

Plant maintenance inspectors simply add a small amount of Water-Glo 801 or Water-Glo 802 fluorescent water dye into a system and allow it to circulate, Spectronics says. Wherever the water escapes, so does the dye, which remains at the site of all leaks. When the system is scanned with a high-intensity Spectroline leak detection lamp, the dye glows brightly to pinpoint the precise location of every leak, the company says.

The fluorescent water dyes are available in two distinct colors to distinguish among leaking systems. Water-Glo 801 makes leak sites fluoresce blue, while Water-Glo 802 fluoresces green. The company says both are highly concentrated and contain more active ingredients per dose than competitive dyes.

The recommended dilution ratio of Water-Glo 801 is one pint of dye for every 500 gallons of water; for Water-Glo 802, it’s one pint of dye for every 1,000 gallons of water-based fluid.

Water-Glo 801 and Water-Glo 802 dyes are also ideal for diagnostic/preventive maintenance programs, Spectronics says. They remain safely in the system and will expose new leaks whenever the system is inspected with the lamp. These dyes also enable inspectors to detect leaks in seams, welds, seals and fittings of equipment before it is put into service.

Dyes are available in one-pint containers as well as 1-gallon, 5-gallon and 55-gallon drums. Water-Glo 801 and 802 are NSF Certified to meet food-grade processing requirements for category codes G7, GX and HTX-2.