Hydrocarbon Spill Management Through Leak Localization in Natural Gas Pipeline

摘要

It is important that leaks are detected early in pipelines. The need for prompt and accurate leak detection becomes more crucial when the pipeline content is gaseous. Remedial actions require that the leak location be determined in any leak incidence. Accurate leak localization will not only save cost but will enhance remedial actions such as replacement and repairs of damaged pipeline sections, clean-up of affected ecological systems and direct inspection of degree of damage. This information will aid in understanding the causes and effects of the leak. This paper presents a mathematical model for determination of the location of leak in a natural gas pipeline. The mathematical approach employed a mass balance approach to the modification of the Weymouth’s gas transportation equation in a horizontal natural gas pipeline. The pipeline under consideration was divided into two sections at the advent of leak. Before the leak point the pipeline cross section is represented as the upstream section while the downstream represents the section ahead of the leak point. The mathematical model herein was developed with reference to the downstream section of the pipeline. The results showed good accuracy with other leak location models available in literature and was also verified to be correct and within acceptable error limits when compared with actual field data.