Device for rapidly detecting and locating leakages in pipelines

摘要

The invention relates to a device for detecting and locating leakage for pipeline sections defined by a discontinuity point (e.g. cross-sectional widening, cross-sectional narrowing, line closure). The device according to invention utilises the knowledge that the pressure surge waves arising in the event of a leakage and spreading at sound velocity in the pipeline are mostly reflected at such discontinuity points. According to the invention, the pipeline section to be monitored is equipped with (only) one pressure-measuring device which is located at its end (MO) situated opposite the discontinuity point and detects both the surge wave arriving directly from the leakage point (LO) and the surge wave first of all running towards the discontinuity point (AO) and reflected there. The leakage point is calculated from the difference in the arrival times of the two surge waves at the measuring point (MO) and a known sound-velocity value. The device according to the invention enables leakages to be reliably located in particular in sections of branch lines (AL) adjoining a main line (HL).