Temperature compensated methods for detection of leaks in pressurized pipeline systems using piston displacement apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring the change in the temperature-compensated flow rate produced by a leak while compensating for thermally induced volume changes in a pressurized pipeline system containing a liquid product, comprising:
- (a) pressurizing said pipeline system to a first pressure and measuring with displacement means those changes in the volume of product in said pipeline that are required to maintain approximately constant pressure over a first measurement period, wherein said displacement means comprises a solid object adjustably inserted in said pipeline system, which object may be inserted or withdrawn from said pipeline system to displace known volumes of product in said pipeline system;
(b) changing the pressure in said pipeline to a second pressure and measuring with said displacement means those changes in the volume of product in said pipeline that are required to maintain approximately constant pressure over a second measurement period;
(c) computing the temperature-compensated change of volume from the changes of volume during said measurement periods; and
(d) computing the rate of change of temperature-compensated volume.
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Abstract
The piston displacement apparatus and method for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines disclosed herein measures volume changes at different pressures to determine thermally compensated leak rates. The apparatus uses a piston displacement apparatus to precisely determine volume changes.
84 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for measuring the change in the temperature-compensated flow rate produced by a leak while compensating for thermally induced volume changes in a pressurized pipeline system containing a liquid product, comprising:
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(a) pressurizing said pipeline system to a first pressure and measuring with displacement means those changes in the volume of product in said pipeline that are required to maintain approximately constant pressure over a first measurement period, wherein said displacement means comprises a solid object adjustably inserted in said pipeline system, which object may be inserted or withdrawn from said pipeline system to displace known volumes of product in said pipeline system; (b) changing the pressure in said pipeline to a second pressure and measuring with said displacement means those changes in the volume of product in said pipeline that are required to maintain approximately constant pressure over a second measurement period; (c) computing the temperature-compensated change of volume from the changes of volume during said measurement periods; and (d) computing the rate of change of temperature-compensated volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for measuring the change in the temperature-compensated flow rate produced by a leak while compensating for thermally induced volume changes in a pressurized pipeline system containing a liquid product, comprising:
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(a) pressurizing said pipeline system to a first pressure and measuring with measurement means those changes in the volume of product in said pipeline that are required to maintain approximately constant pressure over a first measurement period, wherein said measurement means comprises a pressure vessel and displacement means, said displacement means comprising a solid object adjustably inserted in said pressure vessel, which object may be inserted or withdrawn from said pressure vessel to displace known volumes of product in said pipeline system and said pressure vessel; (b) changing the pressure in said pipeline to a second pressure and measuring with said measurement means those changes in the volume of product in said pipeline that are required to maintain approximately constant pressure over a second measurement period; (c) computing the temperature-compensated change of volume from the changes of volume during said measurement periods; and (d) computing the rate of change of temperature-compensated volume. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification