-Considering the importance of monitoring pipeline systems, this work presents the development of a technique to detect gas leakage in pipelines, based on an acoustic method, and on-line prediction of leak magnitude using artificial neural networks. On-line audible noises generated by leakage were obtained with a microphone installed in a 60 m long pipeline. The sound noises were decomposed into sounds of different frequencies: 1 kHz, 5 kHz and 9 kHz. The dynamics of these noises in time were used as input to the neural model in order to determine the occurrence and the leak magnitude. The results indicated the great potential of the technique and of the developed neural network models. For all on-line tests, the models showed 100% accuracy in leak detection, except for a small orifice (1 mm) under 4 kgf/cm² of nominal pressure. Similarly, the neural network models could adequately predict the magnitude of the leakages.

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Pipeline networks are complex systems of ducts transporting gas and chemical products through long distances. With the purpose to track these leaks a technique, based on the analysis of sound noises captured by a microphone and on pressure transients generated by leak occurrence, was developed. Neural Artificial Networks were applied to determine leak magnitude and leak location. The experimental results showed that it is possible to detect leaks in pipelines. The dynamics of these noises in time were used as input to the neural model to determine the location and magnitude of the leaks.