Device and method for smoke testing of gas furnace heat exchangers

A smoke generator for smoke testing heat exchangers of gas furnaces so as to determine the presence or absence of leaks therein, via observing any escape of a pressurized visible smoke tracer the generator comprising:

• a smoke chamber housing having upper and lower portions;
• at least one heating element which generates smoke vapor as a visible leak tracer, in the upper portion of said smoke chamber housing;
• a pump which supplies a pressurized carrier gas to the upper portion of said smoke chamber housing;
• a liquid which fills the lower portion of said smoke chamber housing, wherein said at least one heating element is suspended above said liquid;
• an applicator of liquid to said at least one heating element;
• and
• a smoke vent in the upper portion of said smoke chamber housing which releases said smoke vapor and said pressurized carrier gas into said heat exchanger;
• a monitor of the pressure of smoke vapor within the generator;
• a pressure regulator of the smoke vapor formed within the generator;
• a volume flow gauge for monitoring the volume of smoke vapor escaping from the generator;
• and a hose for fluidly communicating with a heat exchanger of a gas furnace.

A method of smoke testing a heat exchanger of a gas furnace so as to determine the presence or absence of leaks therein via observing any escape of a pressurized visible smoke tracer, the method comprising:

• closing an intake and an outtake of the heat exchanger;
• fluidly communicating a smoke generator with the heat exchanger, wherein the smoke generator comprises:
• a smoke chamber housing having upper and lower portions,
• at least one heating element which generates a smoke vapor as a visible leak tracer in the upper portion of said smoke chamber housing,
• a pump which supplies a pressurized carrier gas to the upper portion of said smoke chamber housing,
• a liquid which fills the lower portion of said smoke chamber housing, wherein said at least one heating element is suspended above said liquid,
• an applicator of liquid to said at least one heating element, and
• a smoke vent in the upper portion of said smoke chamber housing which releases said smoke vapor and said pressurized carrier gas into said heat exchanger;
• filling the heat exchanger with smoke from the smoke generator;
• and observing smoke exiting the heat exchanger.