INTEGRATED ACOUSTIC LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM USING INTRUSIVE AND NON-INTRUSIVE SENSORS

摘要

A system (10) for detecting and locating leaks includes a pipeline (20), strain sensors (12, 14, 16, 18) positioned on the external surface of the pipeline (20), acoustic pressure sensors (22) positioned at intervals along the pipeline (20), local processors (24) connected to the strain sensors and acoustic pressure sensors, and a central processor (26) connected to the local processors. The strain sensors measure a strain on the external surface of the pipeline indicative of changes in the pressure of the fluid within the pipeline. The acoustic pressure sensors sense acoustic signals within the pipline. Sensed acoustic pressure signals and sensed strain measurements are compared to each other and to stored profiles to detect and locate leaks.