Disclosed herein is an apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valve seals wherein the apparatus includes an isolation valve having at least one upstream seal (4), at least one downstream seal (4), a fluid flow diverter (2); an inner cavity (3) isolated from a fluid flow path by the seals; a vent port (7) disposed in fluid communication with the inner cavity (3); a vent valve (9) disposed in fluid communication with the vent port (7); and a differential pressure sensor (8) disposed in fluid communication with both the vent port (7) and the fluid flow path. Also disclosed is a method of on-line detection of leaky valve seals wherein the method includes disposing at least one upstream seal (4), at least one downstream seal (4), a fluid flow path, and a fluid flow diverter (2) in mutual fluid communication; isolating an inner cavity (3) from the fluid flow path by means of the seals (4); disposing a vent port (7) in fluid communication with the inner cavity (3); disposing a vent valve (9) in fluid communication with the vent port (7); and disposing a differential pressure sensor (8) in fluid communication with both the vent port (7) and the fluid flow path. The method can also be used to detect the presence of a defective fluid flow diverter (2) while an associated fluid transport system remains on-line.
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