Method for estimating the location of a leak in a pipeline
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01M-003/28
G01M-003/18
G01M-003/24
출원번호
US-0133815
(2009-12-11)
등록번호
US-8838399
(2014-09-16)
우선권정보
GB-0822598.9 (2008-12-11)
국제출원번호
PCT/GB2009/051699
(2009-12-11)
§371/§102 date
20110817
(20110817)
국제공개번호
WO2010/067128
(2010-06-17)
발명자
/ 주소
Ryan, Nicholas John
출원인 / 주소
Seal-Tite, LLC.
대리인 / 주소
Baker & Hostetler LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
10
초록▼
A method for estimating a location of a leak (x) in a pipe (1). A liquid of a known density is fed into the pipe at a first inlet pressure (P1). When the liquid achieves a substantially steady flow rate, the flow rate passing into the pipeline is recorded. This step is repeated at a second, differen
A method for estimating a location of a leak (x) in a pipe (1). A liquid of a known density is fed into the pipe at a first inlet pressure (P1). When the liquid achieves a substantially steady flow rate, the flow rate passing into the pipeline is recorded. This step is repeated at a second, different, inlet pressure (P2). Using this data, an estimate of the leak location (x) and the area of the leak is calculated by simultaneously solving an expression which is based on relating the frictional energy losses of the liquid travelling through the pipeline (1) to the pressure in the pipeline at the leak (Pleak) and the flow rate of liquid from the leak.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for estimating a location of a leak in a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of: A) feeding a liquid of a known density into said pipeline at a first inlet pressure and shutting said pipeline downstream of said leak, such that, once said liquid achieves a substantially steady flow
1. A method for estimating a location of a leak in a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of: A) feeding a liquid of a known density into said pipeline at a first inlet pressure and shutting said pipeline downstream of said leak, such that, once said liquid achieves a substantially steady flow rate, the flow rate of liquid passing into the pipeline can be assumed to be equal to the flow of liquid from the leak;B) when said liquid achieves a substantially steady flow rate at said first pressure, recording the flow rate of the liquid passing into the pipeline;C) repeating steps A and B at a second, different, inlet pressure; andD) calculating, using a computer, an estimate of the leak location and the area of the leak by simultaneously solving a first and a second expression of the leak location relative to the flow rate recorded for each of said first and second inlet pressures, wherein at least one of said first and second expressions is represented by: QL=CdAL2g[P1ρmg+(ρm-ρwρm)D-λ(xd)(V22g)]whereQL is the flow of liquid through the pipeline measured at the inlet;Cd is the coefficient of discharge;AL is the area of the leak;g is gravitational acceleration;P1 is the pressure at the pipeline inlet;ρm is the liquid density in pipeline;ρw is the density of seawater;D is the depth beneath the sea at the leak location;λ is the friction factor along the line;x is the leak location;d is the pipeline diameter;V is the liquid velocity, andwherein said first and second expressions comprise estimating the leak location and the area of the leak based on frictional energy losses of said liquid travelling through the pipeline to the leak location and relating this to the pressure in the pipeline at the leak and the flow rate of liquid from said leak. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said expressions applies the D'Arcy Weisbach relationship for estimating said frictional energy losses. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said expressions applies Bernoulli's Equation for relating frictional energy losses to the pressure in the pipeline at the leak. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said expressions applies the Orifice Flow Equation for relating the pressure in the pipeline at the leak to the flow rate. 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said expressions further comprises accounting for external pressure at the leak location on the flow rate of liquid from said leak. 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein in said steps B and C, said liquid achieves a substantially steady flow rate when there is less than a +/−20% change in flow rate. 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein in said steps B and C, said pressure and flow rate are sampled over a period of 30 to 60 minutes and an average pressure and flow rate value is recorded. 8. A method according to claim 1 further comprising: repeating step C at further, different, inlet pressures;calculating, said computer, further estimates of the leak location using the flow rates recorded for said further inlet pressures; andaveraging said estimates. 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein step B further comprises recording the pressure and flow rate of the liquid at a location downstream of the leak; and wherein at least one of said expressions accounts for the flow of liquid downstream of the leak in calculating an estimate of the leak location by deducting the effect of frictional energy losses and pressure in the pipeline of the liquid travelling from the leak location to the downstream location. 10. A method for estimating a location of a leak in a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of: A) feeding a liquid of a known density into said pipeline at a first inlet pressure;B) when said liquid achieves a substantially steady flow rate at said first pressure, recording the flow rate of the liquid passing into the pipeline and recording the pressure and flow rate of the liquid at a location downstream of the leak;C) repeating steps A and B at a second, different, inlet pressure; andD) calculating, using a computer, an estimate of the leak location and the area of the leak by simultaneously solving a first and a second expression of the leak location relative to the flow rate recorded for each of said first and second inlet pressures, wherein at least one of said expressions is represented by: AL=1M·(V1∓N)whereN=2·g[P1ρ·g-Poutρ·g+z1-zout+V122·g-ΔH1→out]M=Cd·1A2ρ·(P1+g·ρ·(z1-z*)-g·ρ·ΔH1→*-Pext)ΔH1→*=λ(xd)(V122·g)ΔH1→out=λ(xd)(V122·g)+λ((L-x)d)(Vout22·g)AL is the area of the leak;V1 is the inlet liquid velocity;Vout is the liquid velocity at the downstream location;g is gravitational acceleration;P1 is the pressure at the pipeline inlet;Pout is the pressure at the downstream location;ρ is the liquid density in pipeline;Z1 is the static head at the inlet;Zout is the static head at the downstream location;Z* is the static head at the leak location;ΔH1-* is liquid energy loss between the inlet and the leak location;ΔH1-out is liquid energy loss between the inlet and the outlet;Cd is the coefficient of discharge;A is the cross sectional area of the pipeline;Pext is the external pressure at the leak location;x is the leak location;L is the length of the pipeline between the inlet and the downstream location;d is the pipeline diameter; andλ is the friction factor along the line, andwherein at least one of said expressions accounts for the flow of liquid downstream of the leak in calculating an estimate of the leak location by deducting the effect of frictional energy losses and pressure in the pipeline of the liquid travelling from the leak location to the downstream location.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (10)
Standifer Larry R., Detection and quantification of fluid leaks.
Leuker Wilhelm (Gosberg DEX) Stipsits Gnter (Neunkirchen/Brand DEX) Thiel Bernhard (Forchheim DEX), Method for finding a leak in pressure-carrying vessels and apparatus for carrying out the method.
Claude, Jean, Method of and device for remotely detecting leaks in a fluid-conveying pipe-line submerged within an ambient fluid and pipe-line provided with such a detection device.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.