(US5763765-A)      Detection of perforations in a membrane for an electrochemical cell comprises exposing the 1st surface to a 1st fluid reactant while exposing the 2nd surface to a 2nd fluid reactant. If there are no perforations the fluids remain separately isolated but if there are any perforations the fluids exothermically react and generate heat which is detected.    Also claimed is an apparatus for carrying out the above process including a chamber with an opening across which the 1st surface of the membrane is sealed while leaving the 2nd surface exposed to the air, a means to introduce a 1st fluid reactant which produces an exothermic reaction when exposed to the oxygen in air and a heat detector.    Further claimed is an apparatus similar to the above but including a 2nd container with an opening across which the 2nd surface of the membrane is sealed.    USE -   Used for quality control of ion exchange membranes and separators used in e.g. electrolytic cells, chloro alkali cells, batteries and in electrowinning, and for membranes used in plate-and-frame humidification sections of solid polymer electrochemical fuel cell stacks.    ADVANTAGE -   The process can precisely locate the perforations. It can be incorporated into an automated membrane and/or MEA (membrane electrode assembly) manufacturing process including reel-to-reel type processes as well as being used in conjunction with an intelligent system which can process thermal image data and perform automatic quality control.    (EP947018-A1)      Detection of perforations in a membrane for an electrochemical cell comprises exposing the 1st surface to a 1st fluid reactant while exposing the 2nd surface to a 2nd fluid reactant. If there are no perforations the fluids remain separately isolated but if there are any perforations the fluids exothermically react and generate heat which is detected.    Also claimed is an apparatus for carrying out the above process including a chamber with an opening across which the 1st surface of the membrane is sealed while leaving the 2nd surface exposed to the air, a means to introduce a 1st fluid reactant which produces an exothermic reaction when exposed to the oxygen in air and a heat detector.    Further claimed is an apparatus similar to the above but including a 2nd container with an opening across which the 2nd surface of the membrane is sealed.    USE -   Used for quality control of ion exchange membranes and separators used in e.g. electrolytic cells, chloro alkali cells, batteries and in electrowinning, and for membranes used in plate-and-frame humidification sections of solid polymer electrochemical fuel cell stacks.    ADVANTAGE -   The process can precisely locate the perforations. It can be incorporated into an automated membrane and/or MEA (membrane electrode assembly) manufacturing process including reel-to-reel type processes as well as being used in conjunction with an intelligent system which can process thermal image data and perform automatic quality control.    (EP947018-B1)      Detection of perforations in a membrane for an electrochemical cell comprises exposing the 1st surface to a 1st fluid reactant while exposing the 2nd surface to a 2nd fluid reactant. If there are no perforations the fluids remain separately isolated but if there are any perforations the fluids exothermically react and generate heat which is detected.    Also claimed is an apparatus for carrying out the above process including a chamber with an opening across which the 1st surface of the membrane is sealed while leaving the 2nd surface exposed to the air, a means to introduce a 1st fluid reactant which produces an exothermic reaction when exposed to the oxygen in air and a heat detector.    Further claimed is an apparatus similar to the above but including a 2nd container with an opening across which the 2nd surface of the membrane is sealed.    USE -   Used for quality control of ion exchange membranes and separators used in e.g. electrolytic cells, chloro alkali cells, batteries and in electrowinning, and for membranes used in plate-and-frame humidification sections of solid polymer electrochemical fuel cell stacks.    ADVANTAGE -   The process can precisely locate the perforations. It can be incorporated into an automated membrane and/or MEA (membrane electrode assembly) manufacturing process including reel-to-reel type processes as well as being used in conjunction with an intelligent system which can process thermal image data and perform automatic quality control.