초록 ▼

A method and improved apparatus for detecting leaks in pressurized pipeline systems, which compensate for the thermally induced volume changes of the liquid in the line during a test that are produced by both the nonlinear changes in the mean temperature of the liquid and the pressure-induced pertur

A method and improved apparatus for detecting leaks in pressurized pipeline systems, which compensate for the thermally induced volume changes of the liquid in the line during a test that are produced by both the nonlinear changes in the mean temperature of the liquid and the pressure-induced perturbations of the temperature of the liquid.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for measuring the difference in the volumetric flow rate due to a leak between one pressure and at least one other pressure, after compensation has been made for thermally induced changes in the volume of liquid product in a pressurized pipeline system, comprisin

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for measuring the difference in the volumetric flow rate due to a leak between one pressure and at least one other pressure, after compensation has been made for thermally induced changes in the volume of liquid product in a pressurized pipeline system, comprising the steps of:(a) pressurizing said pipeline system to a first pressure level, and measuring those changes in volume of product in the pipeline system that occur when the pressure is maintained at an approximately constant pressure over a first measurement period;(b) pressurizing said pipeline system to at least a second pressure level, and measuring those changes in volume of product in the pipeline system that occur when the pressure is maintained at an approximately constant pressure over at least a second measurement period; and(c) computing the difference in the temperature compensated volume rate between one pressure and at least one other pressure from the measured volume data at the pressures, including a correction for the thermally induced non-linear changes of volume between the measurement periods, wherein the difference in the temperature compensated volume rate between the pressures is computed from the rate of change of volume measured during the measurement periods (first derivative of the volume data or volume rate) and higher order derivatives of the volume data.