Compressed Air Leak Detection
Compressed Air Leaks Waste Energy and Money while Threatening your Production Capability.
Compressed air is one of the most expensive utilities in industrial facilities—and also one of the most wasted. Leaks can account for up to 30% of total compressed air use, driving up energy costs and putting unnecessary strain on equipment.
Ultrasound finds these leaks fast — no shutdowns, no guesswork. It’s simple to learn, quick to deploy, and often pays for itself the same day.
Why Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Matters
Compressed air is one of the most expensive utilities in industrial facilities — and also one of the most wasted.
Leaks can account for up to 30% of total compressed air use, inflating energy costs and putting unnecessary stress on compressors, and connected assets. That adds up fast — in higher bills, missed production targets, and reduced equipment lifespan.
Compressed air leak detection is the cornerstone of an effective LDAR program. And ultrasound makes it faster and more effective than any other method.
Ignoring Air Leaks Costs More than you Think
Compressed air leaks aren’t just noisy — they’re expensive. Left unchecked, they drain energy, drive up costs, and push your systems harder than they were built to run.
Efficiency & Energy Loss
Valuable energy is wasted, costing money and efficiency.
Accelerated Equipment Wear
Equipment runs longer and wears out faster.
Environmental Impact
Emissions rise and sustainability goals slip away.
Hidden Threats and Risks
Production risks increase with every unseen leak.
Ultrasound makes leak detection fast, easy, and reliable
- Airborne sensors detect turbulence created by pressurized leaks, even in noisy environments
- Scan while operating — no shutdown needed
- Tag and quantify leaks using SDT’s Leak Reporter app or SonaVu Insights
- Build inspection routes for repeatable, scalable results
Our Solutions for Compressed Air Leak Detection
Our route-based data collection solutions combine airborne and contact ultrasound sensors with precision vibration analysis into versatile, multi-purpose reliability data collectors. Fully integrated with the world's most powerful predictive maintenance software, these intuitive tools streamline asset inspections, simplify workflows, and deliver superior reliability outcomes.
Learn MoreOur ultrasound and vibration permanent monitoring solutions offer industry-leading sensitivity for the earliest possible fault detection. Engineered for durability and ease-of-use, these solutions provide remote, automated diagnostics—reducing maintenance costs and delivering a comprehensive, facility-wide view of asset health.
Learn MoreImaging technologies enhance visibility into hidden problems—revealing heat, sound, and motion that the eye can’t see. From thermal and acoustic imaging to motion amplification, reliability teams can use these vision enhancing technologies to detect failures. Our imaging solutions are a powerful way to see more, understand faster, and act with confidence.
Learn MoreUltrasound-guided lubrication empowers maintenance teams to grease bearings with precision by monitoring friction in real time during greasing tasks. By comparing live decibel readings to historical baseline data, technicians can identify when lubrication is truly needed, and when enough has been applied; preventing both under- and over-lubrication.
Learn MoreThe Inspection Process
01
Plan the Route
Map out your inspection path, gather the right ultrasound equipment, and ensure proper PPE is in place for safe, efficient scanning.
02
Perform the Scan
Use airborne sensors or acoustic imaging to sweep across target areas. Listen and look for ultrasonic signatures of turbulence caused by compressed air or gas leaks.
03
Analyze and Report
Review collected data, tag leak locations, and quantify losses. Use tools like SonaVu Insights or Leak Reporter to prioritize repairs and track ROI.
04
Repair and Resurvey
After identifying issues, fix the leaks, then scan the same areas over again to validate your repairs and ensure that nothing was missed.
Get Started in Three Simple Steps
Compressed Air Leak Frequently Asked Questions
Ultrasound is incredibly versatile. In addition to compressed air leak detection, it’s used for bearing lubrication, valve inspection, steam trap testing, tightness testing, and even electrical discharge detection. One tool. Multiple use cases.
Most teams can get started in a single session. SDT offers guided onboarding, certification programs, and free learning content through SDT.Training.
Yes. Tools like Leak Reporter and SonaVu Insights calculate estimated loss and CO2 impact. You’ll know how much energy you’re losing — and how quickly repairs will pay off.
Absolutely. SDT’s software platforms let you tag, document, trend, and export everything you find. Build reports, estimate ROI, and share results with your team or management.
Most facilities recover their investment within weeks — sometimes even on day one. Reduced air loss, lower utility bills, and deferred capital expenditure on compressors all contribute to fast ROI.
Yes. With SDT’s training and intuitive tools like ULTRAChecker and SonaVu, most users can begin scanning and tagging leaks effectively in under a day.
Absolutely. SDT offers the Leak Reporter app and SonaVu Insights for leak quantification, tagging, sizing, and reporting. You can build routes, prioritize repairs, and track performance over time.
SDT’s airborne sensors are highly directional and can detect leaks from up to 15 meters away. They offer precise detection in noisy environments and allow you to listen back to recordings for confirmation and analysis.
Compressed air and gas leaks are a hidden drain on energy. Fixing them reduces emissions, helps meet ESG targets, and supports ISO 50001 energy management frameworks.
Focus on the financial and environmental impact: quantifiable energy savings, reduced compressor workload, extended equipment life, and measurable sustainability gains. SDT provides templates and reporting tools to help make the case.