A SCADA Expansion for Leak Detection in a Pipeline

A solution for expanding an already existing pipeline SCADA for real time leak detection is presented. The work consisted in attaching a FDI scheme to an industrial SCADA that regulates liquid distribution from its source to end user. For isolation of the leak a lateral extraction is proposed instead of the traditional pressure profile of the pipeline. Friction value is a function of pipe physical parameters, but on line friction estimation achieved better results. Aspects that were important in the integration of the FDI scheme into the SCADA were the non synchrony of pipeline variables (flow, pressure) and their accessibility, that leaded to data extrapolation and the use of data base techniques. Vulnerability of the location algorithm due to sensors bandwidth and sensitivity is showed, so the importance of selecting them. The FDI scheme was programmed in LabVIEW and executed in a personal computer.