Pipeline leakage detection using Acoustic Wave Propagation, Reflectometry and CFD

The leak acoustic wave propagation signals collected on a fluid-filled pipeline plays an important role in detecting a leak in the pipes. The conventional leak detection methods have shown some promising results in detecting a leak in the absence of flow in the pipeline. In application, the fluid in the pipeline is flowing with a certain velocity. In this case, the conventional method cannot be used for the leak detection. In this paper, a new leak detection system using acoustics wave reflectometry and time of flight to spot leak locations and sizes on a fluid-filled pipeline with flow. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of Acoustic Wave Propagation/Acoustic Wave Reflectometry was employed in the analysis. The proposed leak detection method results were verified analytically using the time of flight approach and the error obtained from the new approach was less than 1%.