Software based leak detection – What Is Piping: All about Piping Engineering

Pipeline leaks are a serious threat to safety as it can cause loss and damage to life, property, environment, reputation, and obviously finance. So every plant should install a useful Pipeline leak detection systems. An engineering system that detects the leaks of pipeline materials in order to alert the operator about the leakage is known as a pipeline leak detection system. For risk management, a pipeline Leak detection system is an essential component. Depending on the fluid being handled, pipeline leak detection systems may employ various technologies. However, all pipeline leak detection system should possess the following characteristics: locate leaks accuratelydetect leaks quickly as soon as it occurs.work effectively under all operating conditionsissue minimal false alarmsuse sensors with high reliability and low maintenancebe easy to retrofit Pipeline Configurations: Fig. 1: Figure showing pipeline networks Methods of Pipeline leak detection Pipeline leak detection methods can be classified into two groups: Hardware Method: This method is used to detect leaks with instrumentation outside the pipeline.Software Method: This method uses different instruments to monitor internal parameters (such as pressure, flow, temperature) that infer product release. It is also known as computational pipeline monitoring (CPM). Hardware Method of Pipeline Leak Detection: Acoustic EmissionsFiber Optic SensingVapor MonitoringMulti-hop Sensor Wireless Network* Advantages of Pipeline Leak Detection using Hardware Method : Good sensitivity to leakVery accurate in leak locating Disadvantages of Hardware method to pipeline leak detection: System costs are usually highHigh complexity of installation Pipeline Leak detection using Software Methods-Balancing System Balancing Systems: Uses the principle of mass conservation Types of Balancing systems: Volume BalanceCompensated Mass BalanceModel Compensated Mass Balance Advantages of Balancing System: It is simple to implementCost effective Disadvantages of Balancing System: Can be affected by instrument errorHigh rate of false alarms Software Method - Pressure Analysis for Pipeline Leak Detection: Gradient Intersection method: This method uses SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) values to calculate the theoretical hydraulic profile or baseline of the pipeThe presence of a leak can be determined from a specific deviation or combinations of several deviations from the baseline Advantages of Gradient Intersection Method: Estimation of leak location can be determined Disadvantages of Gradient Intersection Method: Dependent on instrument sensitivity.Smaller leaks typically take longer time to detect.Does not give magnitude of leak Pipeline Leak Detection by Software Method - RTTM: Real-Time Transient Modeling (RTTM) involves computer simulation of pipeline conditions using advanced fluid mechanics and hydraulic modeling. Basic equations used in RTTM are: Fig. 2: Basic Equations of RTTM Advantages of RTTM: It takes into account the configuration of the pipe as well as the product characteristics.Very fast in detection and location Disadvantages of RTTM: It is a complex way of leak detectionThe RTTM method costs much more than the other methodsRequires many instruments, controller training, and maintenance.Errors in instrument calibration could raise false alarms Generalized Likelihood Ratio for Pipeline Leak Detection: This is a statistical method modeled after the flow conditions in the pipelineA mathematical model that describes the effects of leaks and biases on the flow process is used.Can detect leaks in the pipeline branch located in the branch, and magnitude of the leak.Can identify various types of gross errors