Abstract
The use of fluid transients has the potential to provide insight into effect of leaks in pipeline systems and hence provide leak detection method. This paper presents a technique for detection and location of leaks in a single viscoelastic pipe by means of transient analysis. The method uses transient pressure waves initiated by the sudden closure of an upstream valve. The presence of a leak in a pipe partially reflects these pressure waves and allows for the location and magnitude of leaks. The two constitutive equations of continuity and momentum yield a set of two partial differential equations of hyperbolic type. The viscoelastic behaviour of the pipe wall material is represented by a generalized Kelvin-Voigt model. The computed results obtained by the method of characteristics describe the influence of the leak on head and discharge time-histories. The effect of the pipe wall viscoelasticity on the leak detection and sizing is also discussed.