Leak detection in virtually isolated pipe sections within a complex pipe system using a two-source-four-sensor transient testing configuration

Abstract Leak detection in complex pipeline systems is challenging due to complex wave reflections. This research proposes a new technique for leak detection in targeted pipe sections within complex water supply pipe systems using controlled hydraulic transient pressure waves. To ‘virtually isolate’ a targeted pipe section for independent analysis, a two-source-four-sensor transient testing configuration is used to extract the transfer matrix of the targeted pipe section, and it is independent of the system boundary conditions. The imaginary part of the difference between two elements in the transfer matrix is sensitive to leaks. The result should be zero if no leak is present, while a leak will introduce a sinusoidal pattern. An algorithm is developed to extract the leak information, which is applicable to multiple leaks. Two numerical case studies are conducted to validate the new leak detection technique. Case 1 is on a single pipe system with two leaks and deteriorated pipe sections, and pulse pressure waves are used as the excitation. Case 2 is on a simple pipe network with one leak, and pseudo-random binary signals are used as the excitation. The successful determination of the leak location and impedance validates the concept.