Simulation of Leak Noise Propagation and Detection Using COMSOL Multiphysics

Abstract

Pipelines leak detection represents an essential aspect in pipeline rehabilitation to avoid any unexpected failure. Several detection techniques have been adopted and received a widespread application in pipeline inspection nowadays but still present a major challenge to field operators. This paper presents an attempt to develop correlations between leaks and their effect on the fluid characteristics inside the pipeline such as fluid velocity, variation of pressure and sound level due to the presence of leaks along the pipeline. Characterization of these parameters and how they propagate with respect to time from the leak source will allow the development of a solution to detect leaks and quantify the amount of fluid being lost. This paper aims at conducting an experimental investigation to determine the sound level for specified leak sizes. The experimental data was used in COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate various fluid flow scenarios inside a 2 in. (5.08 cm.) pipe with different leak sizes.

Modeling and simulation of a pipeline leak detection using smart inspection ball

“…In COMSOL multiphysics, the model builder is a tree system model. The following elements make up the majority of the COMSOL tree [3]: a. Geometry builder: using a graphic interface where the geometry of solid work is imported. b.…”

“…Other conditions included in physics include boundary conditions such as fluid, thermal insulation, solid domain heat transfer, inflow, outflow, heat flux, and point heat source. The starting value for the sound energy density must equal zero joules per meter 3 for acoustic diffusion to begin. The leaking action at the designated place produces a sound power point, which serves as the boundary condition.…”

“…Transporting fuels, such as the delivery of fuels via fluid pipelines, is an example of an essential component of the energy supply that must be considered. The pipes are exposed to many factors, including flow stress, neighborhood circumstances, and sound pressure [3]. In addition to this, the difficult conditions of real-time operations, such as those that take place in the marine environment while it is under the pressure of the seas, in remote regions of deserts, and underground, where they are exposed to the soil stress force, lead to an enormous amount of environmental pollution [4].…”

“…The varying flow may be employed in  ISSN: 2302-9285 conjunction with an appropriate sensor to produce vibration; the vibration is consistent over the whole length of the pipe, but the leakage point has a non-uniform behavior [8], [9]. The flow distortion can be altered by manipulating many parameters, including the flow rate, the location of the leakage point, the temperature caused by the leakage, the distance between the leakage point and the detected ball, the diameter of the detected ball, and the type of fluid that is being used [10].…”

“…One of the approaches used in locating flaws in pipes in the time domain was the acoustics pulse reflectometer method. The influence of acoustic energy, smart ball location, fluid type, and ball metal type was investigated by [3] as it relates to the propagation of acoustic leakage. They discovered that the values of certain factors affected the way waves propagated.…”