A LEAK LOCALIZATION METHOD OF PIPELINE BY MEANS OF FLUID TRANSIENT MODEL

This paper describes a method for estimating the position of a detecte d leak by applying a fluid transient model to a real-time pipeline sys tem. The method takes into account flow rate and pressure profiles alo ng a pipeline in a transient condition based on an assumption of quasi -steady-state flow. The result of case studies using a hypothetical ga s pipeline system shows that, even in a transient condition, the metho d gives a more accurate estimation of a leak position than conventiona l methods which do not consider flow rate or pressure profiles along a pipeline. The method is also applicable to a pipeline having consumer stations which cause abrupt changes of flow rate profile along the pi peline. Furthermore, the influence of instrument accuracy on the resul t of the method is examined. The result also shows the advantage of th e method compared to the conventional methods.