New Leak Detection Tape Changes Color After Exposure to Ammonia

Nitto, a Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.)-based subsidiary of Nitto Denko, has launched a leak detection tape that enables visual detection of ammonia gas leaks by changing from white to blue when exposed to ammonia.

While the existence of an ammonia leak may be recognized by smell or a leak sensor, “finding the specific location of the leak can be time-consuming and costly,” noted Nitto in a statement. Nitto’s Ammonia Detection Tape DX-8208A “can solve this problem by easily helping to quickly identify specific leak locations.”

Once applied, the adhesive tape can be used for up to six months to detect ammonia, Nitto said, suggesting that it be applied to phalanges, pipes and other locations throughout a system.

The tape changes color in as little as one minute, Nitto said.  The speed of color change (from white to blue/green) depends on factors such as the flow rate, temperature, time, and percentage of ammonia. The color change will last about 72 hours in most cases even if gas flow has stopped, said Nitto, adding that the tape also facilitates finding intermittent leaks and leaks in outdoor installations.

"I believe that ammonia detection tape could be beneficial at any plant and company that has anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant at their facility,” said George Hubbard, a Plant Safety Manager Coordinator quoted in the Nitto statement. “This product has the potential of saving a plant’s refrigerant by cutting down the vital time it takes for the operators to locate a leak.”

A video demonstrating the tape is available here.

Nitto is a materials manufacturer offering over 13,500 industrial products to more than 70 business fields.