A leak detection and location technique based on the analysis of pressure transients has been experimented in pipelines transporting gas, liquid and gas-liquid mixtures. The spectral analysis of pressure signals allowed leakage detection during the start/stop of pumps. The detection equipment consisted of pressure transducers placed along the pipeline and connected to a PC computer equipped with ADA converter. Leaks were simulated through side outlets fitted along the pipeline. The results showed that leaks as small as 5 percent of the nominal liquid flow were readily detected and located with an error smaller than 5 metres. When operating with gas-liquid mixtures the impact of the pressure wave caused by the leak is partially absorbed by the air flowing in the pipeline. Pressure wave propagation velocities ranged from 43 to 76 m/s, being on average 9 times lower than those obtained with liquid flow only. In the gas pipeline leak as small as 10 percent of nominal flow were detected. The pressure wave velocity was determined to be about 375 m/s. The obtained results also showed that the spectral analysis of pressure transients, together with the knowledge of reflection points provide a simple and efficient way of identifying leaks during the start/stop of pumps in pipelines.


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    Title :

    Leak detection in pipelines - Pressure transient analysis




    Publication date :

    2006


    Size :

    10 Seiten, 11 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 7 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Storage medium


    Language :

    English




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