System and method for leak detection based upon analysis of flow vectors

摘要

A method for detecting a leak in a fluid-conducting conduit is disclosed herein. The method includes generating a first flow vector variation pattern representative of fluid flow through the conduit under known conditions. The method also includes collecting flow data from flow sensors positioned along the conduit. In addition, a second flow vector variation pattern is generated based upon the flow data. The first flow vector variation pattern and the second flow vector variation pattern are then compared in order to detect whether a leak exists in the conduit.