A Multiple Leaks’ Localization Method in a Pipeline Based on Change in the Sound Velocity

Abstract

This article considers a multiple leaks' localization method in fluid pipelines based on the change in the sound velocity of an ultrasonic signal. First, the sound velocity of an ultrasonic signal is denoised by wavelet packet analysis (WPA). Second, the mathematical relationship between the position of a leak and the change in the sound velocity of an ultrasonic signal at the ends of a pipeline is established based on the motion equation and the continuity equation in the transient flow equation of a pipeline. As a consequence, the localization of the leakage position of the proposed method depends only on the change in the sound velocity of the ultrasonic signal at the ends of the pipeline rather than the time difference in a negative pressure wave arriving at the ends of the pipeline. Finally, the change in the sound velocity of the ultrasonic signal is used and it is proven to be efficient to locate the actual leak number. The simulation results show that the proposed method can locate multiple leak positions in a pipeline.