Author(s): Didia Covas; Helena Ramos; Nuno Lopes; Alan Young
Linked Author(s): Dídia Isabel Cameira Covas
Keywords: Transient pressures; Field tests; Leakage detection; Time analysis
Abstract: The current paper focuses on leak detection and location in life pipe networks by means of the generation of artificial transient events in the systems. The results of a field programme that has been carried out under Work Package 3 (WP3 - Leakage Detection) of the joint European Commission's Fifth Framework 'Growth' Programme via the Thematic Network "Surge-Net" are reported. The paper summarises the work developed and results obtained under WP3 whose objective is leak detection in pipelines using transient pressure signals. Several transient tests were carried out in a Scottish Water real life system with simulated pipe bursts - the Lintrathen East Trunk main network (Dundee, UK). Collected transient data has been used for testing and validating two transient-based leak detection approaches, i. e. time analysis of the leak reflected wave and inverse transient analysis (ITA). Both methods have proven to be successful in the detection and location of leaks of a ‘reasonable’ size, providing that physical and hydraulic characteristics of the system are known, the transient is generated by a fast-linear maneuver of a valve, and, in the case of ITA, an accurate transient solver is used. Conclusions are drawn on the future full-scale application of the investigated transient-based leak detection techniques.
Year: 2005