Leak Detection System for Pipelines

The Software is an application which allows continuously detecting leaks in a running pipeline system.

In case of a leak, the software shall automatically generate an alarm and inform the operator of the system regarding a leak and also about the location of the leak with the relevant coordinates. Further it should be possible to show the leak location on a map.

The relevant actions in operating the pipeline after a leak occurs are within the responsibility of the operator

The system shall be implemented as online leak detection system for each dedicated pipeline section.

To provide a high performance of the leak detection system it’s preferred to have the dedicated process interfaces like instrumentation, PLC’s and HMI from one supplier.

Gateways to third party equipment should be avoided.

The process information of the system are mainly based on real time values of flowmeters and pressure transmitters and also the status of pumps and valves.

The different leak detection software modules for running the complete system have to be installed on dedicated PLC’s, the central calculation unit and the human machine interface. It should be possible to integrate the human machine interface within the overall distributed pipeline control system.

The software shall work under steady state conditions in totally filled pipelines. The system shall identify automatically steady / unsteady states. Alarms during unsteady state conditions shall be blocked. In case of an equipment failure or wrong measuring value, only the relevant leak detection system calculations should be deactivated and no leak alarms should be generated for this section of the pipeline. As soon as the failure disappears, these leak detection system calculations should be reactivated. Then, the leak detection system should go back to normal.

The system shall be based on different calculation methods using, mass balance, flow monitoring, pressure monitoring, negative pressure waves, pressure–flow relation.

It should be possible to detect leaks and their location in running and stopped pipelines.

The leak detection sensitivity shall be as follows:

For leak detection: 5% of max flow within 30 min.

2% of max flow within 60 min.

For leak location: <= 2 km within 5 min.