LoRaWAN-based Petroleum Pipeline Leakage Detection System Using Pressure Profile under a Pump Proximity Effect Condition

Abstract

Leakages in pipeline is an important problem that can occur at any stage of the pipeline lifespan due to ageing, improper installation, or human related factors like bunkering or vandalization. Several invasive and non-invasive techniques are being used which have proven to be successful. However, this study focuses on leakage in an area of the pipeline network that is most often overlooked. This area is within the first 100 meters of the pipeline network to the excitation pump and is often prone to leakages due to high pressure. This study shows that even at no leak conditions pressure profile of a short pipeline in a closed loop configuration can vary by as much 59.93 percent. The study also examined the impact of single leak, double leaks, and triple leaks on the pipeline network with pressure loss compared to the no leak condition ranging from about 10 percent to as high as 60 percent.