Gas Pipeline Leak Detection Using Differential Pressure Analysis Method

With the increase usage of pipeline in industrial process, especially within
the gas transmission and distribution systems, it has become very crucial to develop
the reliable method for predicting gas release and dispersion in the pipeline due to
many reasons such a safety, security and economic reasons, ecological reasons and
etc. The predicting should have fast and accurate detection of the leaks. The primary
objective of this project is to design a leak detection system in order to test the
method and gather experimental data with using method of pressure analysis to
detect, as early as possible, the exact location and magnitude of such faults with
minimal instrumentation and should have fast and accurate detection of the leaks.
The system will combine the use of instrumentation that normally available in the
pipeline such as Differential Pressure (DP) Transmitter and orifice. The DP
transmitter will indicate the pressure different between inlet and outlet flow which is
before and after the leak location. The fluid used is the instrumentation air and the
leaks are controlled with variable operating condition. This project will combine all
the skill from Instrumentation, Control System and Fluid Mechanics.