Deriving information about leaks in pipes
First Claim
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1. A method for determining the location of a fluid leak in a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:
- introducing a plurality of sealing elements into the fluid flowing through the pipeline at a first location upstream of the leak, at least some of the sealing elements being drawn towards the leak to cause a sealing event which reduces fluid seepage from the leak;
detecting a pressure change in the flowing fluid due to the sealing event;
using time data associated with the pressure change to derive leak location information.
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Abstract
A method and system for deriving fluid leak information are described. A plurality of sealing elements are introduced into the pipeline at a location upstream of the leak, and at least some of the sealing elements are drawn towards the leak to cause a sealing event which reduces fluid seepage. A pressure change caused by the sealing event is detected, and associated time data is used to derive information about the leak. In one embodiment, leak location information is derived. In an alternative embodiment, pressure transient information is used to derive leak size information.
27 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for determining the location of a fluid leak in a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:
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introducing a plurality of sealing elements into the fluid flowing through the pipeline at a first location upstream of the leak, at least some of the sealing elements being drawn towards the leak to cause a sealing event which reduces fluid seepage from the leak; detecting a pressure change in the flowing fluid due to the sealing event; using time data associated with the pressure change to derive leak location information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for deriving the location of a fluid leak in a pipeline, the system comprising:
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an inlet for allowing a plurality of sealing elements to be introduced into fluid flowing through a pipeline at a first location upstream of the leak, at least some of the sealing elements being drawn towards the leak to cause a sealing event which reduces fluid seepage from the leak; means for detecting a pressure change in the flowing fluid due to the sealing event; means for deriving leak location information from time data associated with the pressure change. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for determining the size of a fluid leak in a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:
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introducing a plurality of sealing elements into the pipeline at a first location upstream of the leak, at least some of the sealing elements being drawn towards the leak to cause a sealing event which reduces fluid seepage from the leak; detecting a pressure transient signal caused by the sealing event; measuring an amplitude of the pressure transient signal; deriving leak size information from the amplitude of the pressure transient signal.
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25. A system for deriving the location or size of a fluid leak in a pipeline, the system comprising:
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an inlet to introduce a plurality of sealing elements into fluid flowing through a pipeline at a first location upstream of the leak, wherein at least some of the sealing elements are drawn to the leak to cause a sealing event which reduces fluid seepage from the leak; at least one pressure transducer to detect a pressure change in the flowing fluid due to the sealing event; a computer to derive leak location or size information from time data associated with the pressure change. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification