Overview: Real-Time On-Line Pipeline Leak Detection by Mass Balance

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Overview: Real-Time On-Line Pipeline Leak Detection by Mass Balance

Leakage from a pipeline is by definition the loss of material / mass being transported by the pipeline.  Hence, the determination of the mass balance of the pipeline is the only truly rigorous method of on-line real-time leak detection.  The problem of the determination of the occurrence of real leakage is closely coupled with the apparent loss of material due to improper flow accounting.

This paper presents a brief introduction to the theory and hardware implementation of mass balance leak detection systems.  Although the compressibility of liquid water is much easier to include in leak detection models/software than gaseous mixtures, the large volumes of water losses from closed circuit distribution systems should be considered serious societal and environmental sustainability problems.

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