Leak detection in complex series pipelines by using the system frequency response method

This research investigates the applicability of the transient-based frequency-response function (FRF) method for detecting leaks in complex series pipelines. The behaviour of transient waves in these pipelines with internal series junctions indicates that junction reflections modify the system resonant frequencies but have a small effect on the leak-induced information contained within the system frequency responses. The analogous method previously developed for single pipelines is extended to complex series pipe systems by using the analytical transfer matrix method herein and the extended method is validated by two simple numerical experimental cases consisting of 3-series pipes and 10-series pipes, respectively. The applied results indicate that the extended FRF method can be applied to detect single and multiple leaks in complex series pipelines as long as the location and size of the resonant peaks of system frequency responses are accurately determined.