Detection of leakage in polymeric transmission pipelines with using reflected compress wave of transient flow

Introduction  When a sudden pressure surge is induced in a pipe system, discontinuities like leaks, changes of pipe diameter or material, tee-junctions, local head losses or air pockets, introduce changes in the hydraulic transient event propagation. A leak creates a pressure drop; friction increases pressure damping; a dead-end or a closed-valve reflects totally an incident wave; an air bubble creates a pressure drop followed by a pressure increase.     The detection of these signals allows their identification and location. The information carried in the transient pressure signal can be used to detect, locate and size leaks, and, eventually, to distinguish these from other features existing in the pipeline.   Methodology Physical model     The purpose of this study was to find the location and size of leakage in polyethylene transfer pipes using transient flow. Therefore, a laboratory model was developed for this purpose at the Hydraulic Lab of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz.