STRUCTURE PROTECTION SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
By installing a multi-layer auxiliary inclusion system containing materials and leak detection sensors on the outside of the structure, the problem of inability to effectively prevent or delay liquid leakage in the prior art is solved, and the slow absorption and real-time monitoring of liquid leakage is achieved, reducing the risk of structural interruption and economic losses.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024565169
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-06
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
AI Technical Summary
The prior art cannot effectively prevent or delay liquid leakage to the outside in structures such as pipelines and storage tanks, resulting in interruption of structural use and economic losses.
An auxiliary inclusion system is employed which is mounted on the outside of the structure to form a multi-layer structure to absorb and slowly leak liquids, and to monitor leakage in real time through a leak detection sensor embedded in the inclusion material.
Effectively reduces the speed of liquid leakage to the outside, provides a time window for detecting leakage and performing repairs, reduces the risk of structural disruption and economic losses, while reducing the need to cover the entire structure with materials, and reduces the cost.
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Figure 2025514520000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of leak prevention and repair in structures such as pipes and tanks, and more particularly to a secondary containment system that slows the onset or progression of leaks outside the structure and allows preemptive repairs soon after damage is detected within the pipe. [Background technology]
[0002] Structures that enclose (contain) fluids, such as pipes and tanks, are subject to wear and structural deterioration that can result in failure, necessitating intervention to keep the structure in a usable condition.
[0003] Detecting a leak after it has occurred is generally considered ineffective, as it leads to interruption of use of the structure containing the leaking fluid ("unplanned downtime"). To reduce losses caused by leaks, leak detection sensors are usually used, such as sensors that detect changes in the structural properties of the structure's walls when the structure is subjected to a certain strain or stress level, or sensors that measure changes in electrical properties within the leak sensor when it comes into contact with a liquid.
[0004] The use of sensors can identify leaks sooner and pinpoint their location, thereby reducing the duration of the leak downtime, but does not prevent the leak from being present and can still lead to significant losses if a leak downtime occurs before remedial intervention can take place.
[0005] To prevent or at least delay the occurrence of leaks, structures enclosing fluids, such as pipes or tanks, may be provided with a secondary containment wall around the perimeter of the structure, forming a first inner wall and an additional second outer wall, separated by a spacer. In such a structure, a leak in the first inner wall does not necessarily immediately lead to a leak in the second outer wall, reducing the probability of external leakage. Summary of the Invention
[0006] Such secondary containment protection is generally constructed coaxially with the first inner wall, thus forming a second vessel of pipe or tank. However, such construction requires that the secondary containment covers the entire structure, which is not only an expensive solution, but also does not effectively contain the leaks when there are two leaks (one in the first inner wall, the second in the second outer wall), even if they are spaced apart. In particular, the use of sensing elements such as pressure sensors or fluid detectors does not overcome the disadvantage that the spacer does not contain the fluid well and that the secondary containment must be larger than the entire primary containment.
[0007] For the above reasons, there is a need for a protective system that can slow the leakage of fluid outside a structure surrounding the fluid if the structure is damaged.
[0008] To address the above needs, the present invention provides a protection system for a structure enclosing a fluid, such as a pipe, tank, or the like that encloses the fluid. a containment material disposed on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the structure, the containment material corresponding to a portion of the exterior surface of the structure; at least one leak detection sensor disposed to be covered or surrounded by the encapsulation material; the containment material is configured to collect at least a portion of the fluid in at least one cavity formed in the containment material, thereby containing leakage of the fluid to an exterior of the structure in the event of a leak occurring within the structure in the at least one portion; Leakage of fluid into the containment material triggers detection of a leak by the leak detection sensor.
[0009] The containment material is configured to collect a portion of the fluid, thereby containing the leak, until a leak detection sensor, either fully embedded in the containment material or in contact with an exterior surface of the structure and covered by the containment material, detects the leakage of the fluid into the containment material. The use of such a containment material provides several advantageous effects.
[0010] First, it protects sensors strategically placed in weak locations in the structure from adverse mechanical effects caused by failure of the structure. In particular, the sensor continues to operate without suffering from the disadvantageous "cross-sensitivity" problems that occur with highly sensitive water leak detection sensors, especially those that react to small mechanical stresses. This can happen, for example, when a composite layer is placed on top of the leak detection sensor. Mechanical stresses and strains in that composite layer can adversely affect the sensor's response, leading to inaccurate measurements.
[0011] Secondly, the absorbent properties of the containment material allow leaks to be detected without immediately leaking fluid outside the structure, thus allowing time to detect the leak and perform maintenance operations without incurring significant losses.
[0012] Third, the containment material does not need to cover the entire exterior surface of the structure, resulting in significant cost and maintenance savings. Existing pipes, tanks, and other structures that enclose fluids can be retrofitted with leak detection sensors that are covered or embedded in the containment material. The containment material is configured to absorb the fluid in the event of a leak and slow the escape of the fluid outside the structure. In the context of the present invention, the term "fluid" refers to either a gas or a liquid.
[0013] According to one embodiment, the encapsulation material includes at least one of a porous material having closed, non-connected cavities, a porous material having open, connected cavities, and a flexible material configured to expand upon pressure from a fluid to form the cavities.
[0014] Porous materials with closed non-communicating cavities are suitable for containing fluids. For example, the barrier between the non-communicating cavities is thin enough to break under pressure from the fluid, allowing the fluid to move slowly through the porous material. Porous materials with open (open) communicating cavities provide a larger volume for the fluid to move into the containment, while at the same time reducing the service pressure by trapping the compressible air volume. Advantageously, such materials can be combined with a non-porous outer hull to prevent leakage from spreading outside the structure. Porous materials with communicating cavities can also be surrounded by porous materials with closed non-communicating cavities or other barriers to fluid flow. Flexible materials can be used so that the pressure from the fluid causes the material to deform and form ridges.
[0015] In one embodiment, the encapsulant is a porous material that absorbs fluids in the event of a leak and slows the escape of the fluids outside the structure.
[0016] Porous materials are particularly useful for containing leaks for a given period of time, typically hours to days, allowing timely repair work to be performed at the leak site. The effect of porous materials is to significantly slow down the flow of fluids through the containment material while providing sufficient space for the fluid to flow into the porosities. Typically, the containment material reduces the pressure exerted by the fluid by slowly absorbing the fluid while preventing it from flowing outside the containment material. The time it takes for the leaked fluid to reach the outer part of the containment material can be adjusted by controlling the void / volume ratio and the thickness of the containment structure.
[0017] In one embodiment, the encapsulant comprises at least one of a fiber-based material, a woven material, a foam, a 3D printed porous material, and a porous adhesive. The encapsulant structure may be made of silicone, a rubber material, a thermoplastic elastomer, a shape memory polymer, among others. Other materials such as polyamides and polyesters may also be used.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the encapsulation material comprises a woven material having a three-dimensional porous structure.
[0019] Typically, the containment material may be a three-dimensional fabric or spacer fabric, i.e. a fabric made by weaving, wrapping or knitting fibers to form a three-dimensional porous structure. The three-dimensional fabric may typically be made of fibrous materials such as polyester, polyamide or fibers made of carbon, glass or aramid. Advantageously, the porosity does not form a continuous open path from the outer surface of the structure to the outside, effectively slowing down the progression of the fluid through the containment material. In fact, the containment material is composed of discontinuous or non-communicating cavities or pores. As the fluid progresses through the containment material, it progresses gradually by diffusing very slowly through the structure with these non-communicating porosity. Alternatively, the porosity may have communicating cavities. In this alternative embodiment, leakage can be prevented for a longer period by a second barrier in the form of an outer shell.
[0020] In one embodiment, the encapsulation material is made of a stack of multiple layers, each layer including at least one of a fiber-based material, a woven material, a foam, a 3D printed porous material, and a porous adhesive.
[0021] By stacking layers of the same or different containment material, the delay between the moment the fluid contacts the containment material and the moment the fluid reaches the environment outside the containment material can be further increased according to the invention. This delay is achieved by the presence of at least one cavity in the containment material, which allows the pressure exerted by the fluid on the containment material or the rate at which this pressure increases to be kept low.
[0022] According to one embodiment, at least two separate layers of the stack of layers include leak detection sensors.
[0023] By adding multiple leak detection sensors in multiple layers, the progress of the fluid can be detected more accurately, and repair work can be arranged in a timely manner.
[0024] According to one embodiment, the protective system further comprises an outer shell surrounding the encapsulation material.
[0025] According to one embodiment, the at least one portion of the exterior surface has a structural repair element thereon.
[0026] The protection system of the present invention is particularly suitable for reinforcing weak areas of the structure surrounding the fluid, which are often areas that have already been repaired once and are therefore at higher risk of further leakage occurring. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a containment material is placed over such structural repair elements.
[0027] According to one embodiment, the containment system has a thickness ranging between 1 mm and 30 cm.
[0028] The present invention also relates to a method for protecting a structure that encloses a fluid, such as a pipe or tank that encloses a fluid, said method comprising: attaching at least one leak detection sensor to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the structure; applying an encapsulant to the at least one portion of the exterior surface of the structure corresponding to a portion of the exterior surface of the structure such that the encapsulant covers or surrounds the at least one portion of the exterior surface of the structure; the containment material is configured to collect at least a portion of the fluid in at least one cavity formed in the containment material, thereby containing leakage of the fluid to an exterior of the structure in the event of a leak occurring within the structure in the at least one portion; Leakage of fluid into the containment material triggers detection of a leak by the leak detection sensor.
[0029] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, prior to the steps of attaching at least one leak detection sensor and applying the encapsulant, The method further includes attaching a structural repair element to the at least one portion of the exterior surface of the structure.
[0030] According to one embodiment, the method further includes disposing an outer shell surrounding the encapsulation material.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the method comprises: applying an encapsulant in an uncured state to the at least one portion of the exterior surface of the structure; applying a fluid under pressure to the encapsulation material to create cavities that form a porous structure in the encapsulation material; and curing the encapsulant.
[0032] The term "non-cured" should be understood to mean that the encapsulating material is still in a state where it can be reshaped or reshaped. Similar terms such as "non-set", "non-solidified" or "non-hardened" may be used in place of "non-cured" as well within the scope of the present invention. The above-described process is particularly suitable for creating holes in structures.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises removing the fluid applied to the encapsulant to form a porous structure having cavities under subatmospheric pressure.
[0034] By pumping out the gas introduced into the containment material, the protection system becomes more effective as it is better able to absorb any leaking liquid. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0035] The present disclosure will now be described in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like numbers refer to similar elements: [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a protection system according to an exemplary embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a protection system according to a second exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a protection system according to a third exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a protection system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps of a method for protecting a structure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The present invention relates to a protection system for a structure enclosing a fluid, and to a method of manufacturing such a protection system. The present invention is particularly suited to providing a secondary containment structure for a pipe or tank, such that any leaks within the secondary containment structure will remain contained within the secondary containment structure for a sufficient period of time to allow repair work to be performed to seal the leak.
[0037] Exemplary embodiments of a protection system according to the invention are shown in FIGS.
[0038] Figure 1 shows diagrammatically, along a longitudinal section, a structure 20, here a pipe, enclosing a fluid 3. The fluid 3 can be any liquid or gas that can typically be transported in a pipe or stored in a tank. Some of these fluids may be particularly corrosive, toxic, or transported at high temperature or pressure. On one portion of the external surface 2 of the structure 20, a leak detection sensor 4 is arranged. Such sensors are well known in the art and are configured to detect the fluid on the external surface 2.
[0039] Advantageously, the leak detection sensors 4 can be placed in particularly sensitive locations known to be prone to wear and deformation, such as curved parts, parts affected by temperature differences (temperature gradients or regular changes in local temperature), or in locations that may be exposed to external hazards that increase the risk of the structure 20 being damaged.
[0040] The leak detection sensor 4 can be, for example, a nanotechnology-based sensor or any sensor capable of detecting the fluid, the pressure on the sensor 4, or any other parameter that may be related to a leak. Some of these sensors typically detect changes in the resistivity of the sensitive medium of the sensor. In the context of the present invention, the type of leak detection sensor that can be used is not limited.
[0041] The leak detection sensor 4 is covered by or completely embedded in an encapsulation material 5, which is advantageously 1 mm to 1 cm thick and forms a protective layer around said portion of the external surface 2 and around the leak detection sensor 4. The encapsulation material 5 contains voids, also called pores or cavities. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, these pores are advantageously non-communicating, so that the fluid 3 cannot easily pass through them, but the fluid can proceed slowly through the volume of the encapsulation material 5.
[0042] The encapsulation material may be or may include, for example, a fiber-based material, a textile material, a foam, particularly an open-cell foam, or a porous adhesive. The textile material may be, for example, a three-dimensional textile, which may be made of a composite material, for example, including textile fibers and / or a polymerizable resin, which may be set or cured to change from a soft to a hard shape. Such a three-dimensional textile may be made of a textile material, such as a polyester material, a polyamide, or fibers made of carbon, glass, or aramid.
[0043] The system formed by the leak detection sensor 4 and the containment material 5 is referred to as the protection system 1 .
[0044] Figure 2 shows another advantageous embodiment of the protection system 1 of the invention. In this figure, a structure 20 has a defect 6 that is repaired with a structural repair element 7. The structural repair element 7 is typically a composite that seals a leak or a weak spot present in the structure 20. These composites are usually made of fiber-reinforced plastics. The properties of the fiber-reinforced plastics are adjusted based on the technical specifications of the structure 20, the usage parameters and the specifics of the defect 6 (in particular the shape or topology). The adhesive used for the composites containing fibers is usually selected to provide the best seal based on these parameters.
[0045] The structural repair elements 7 are typically referred to in the art as "repair wraps." Although these structural repair elements 7 provide good protection for the structure 20, they still represent a weak spot in the structure 20. They need to be monitored more closely to ensure that the initial defect 6 does not worsen and lead to a leak that may be more serious and result in greater loss, damage, or danger. Such repair wraps are particularly advantageous locations for application of the protective system 1 of the present invention.
[0046] Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the leak detection sensor 4 is placed on the repair wrap. Alternatively, the leak detection sensor 4 may be partially embedded in the structural repair element 7. The sensor may also be placed on the encapsulation material 5, provided that it is capable of detecting leakage of fluid into the encapsulation material 5. A sensor placed on the encapsulation material 5 is considered in the context of the present invention to be encompassed by the embodiment in which the sensor is embedded in the encapsulation material 5. The encapsulation material 5 covers the leak detection sensor 4 and the structural repair element 7. As described in relation to FIG. 1, the leak detection sensor 4 may also be wholly or partially part of the encapsulation material 5.
[0047] To further contain the fluid 3 from leaking through the containment 5 into the environment outside the protection system 1, the containment 5 is covered with an outer shell 8. The outer shell may be made, for example, of the same composite material that the structural repair element 7 is made of. The outer shell 8 may also be made of other materials that provide similar protection against leakage. Typically, the outer shell 8 may be a rigid structure that provides a higher level of mechanical protection to the protection system 1. The outer shell 8 may be made, for example, of fiber-reinforced plastic, metal, or any material that can withstand significant pressure.
[0048] The use of a shell 8 over the encapsulation material 5 allows the void-to-volume ratio of the encapsulation material 5 to be further increased, typically allowing more pores to be connected, and also allows for better control of the pressure within the pores, e.g., to be set at less than atmospheric pressure.
[0049] The effect of the containment material 5 is to act as a spacer containing a cavity which acts as a pressure reducing structure. The containment material 5 essentially acts as a spring which reduces the pressure level from the fluid entering the containment material 5. This is due in particular to the compressibility of the gas remaining in the containment material cavity. As the fluid attempts to pass through the containment material, advantageously the gaseous fluid is compressed, which results in a slowdown in the flow of the fluid 3 into the containment material 5.
[0050] This fluid slowing effect can be increased by increasing the thickness of the containment material 5 or by using more complex arrangements such as those depicted in FIGS.
[0051] FIG. 3 represents another embodiment of the protective structure 1. This embodiment comprises two different containments 5, 15, each of which comprises a leak detection sensor 4, 14. Such an arrangement provides additional information regarding the progression of the fluid 3 through the layers of the different containments 5, 15. The leak detection sensor 4 can detect when the fluid 3 enters the containment 5, and the leak detection sensor 14 can detect when the fluid 3 enters the containment 15. The awareness of the ingress of the fluid 3 into a new layer, as information from either of the leak detection sensors, allows the user to recognize the urgency of taking appropriate corrective steps to prevent leakage from the protective system 1. Also, the speed at which the fluid 3 proceeds from one of the containments 5, 15 to the other can be analyzed, and the severity of the damage that requires repair or containment can be determined.
[0052] 4 represents a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which several layers of containment material 5, 15 are arranged, each of which is separated by an intermediate layer 18. This intermediate layer 18 acts as a shell 8 between the two containment materials 5, 15, which further slows down the propagation of the fluid 3 as it diffuses through the pores of the containment materials 5, 15.
[0053] The encapsulation material 5, 15 also acts as a buffer, protecting the leak detection sensor 4, 14 from mechanical stresses and strains from the outer shell 8 or other external influences that may bias the detection of deterioration of weak areas in the structure 20. Thus, the encapsulation material 5, 15 essentially acts as a mechanical decoupling element that prevents "cross-sensitivity" in the leak detection sensor 4, 14 and improves the accuracy of the leak detection sensor 4, 14.
[0054] 1-4, the protection system 1 can be advantageously positioned around the periphery of the structure 20, particularly if the structure 20 is a pipe. Positioning the protection system 1 around the periphery (circumference) can further increase the stability of the protection system 1 and enhance the flow of the fluid 3 within the porous containment material 5, 15.
[0055] The present invention also relates to a method for protecting a structure 20 surrounding a fluid 3. Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating some steps that may be part of such a method 100. It is noted that the flow chart of Figure 5 includes optional steps and is intended to illustrate some possible ways of implementing the exemplary embodiments presented above.
[0056] In a first step, a leak detection sensor 4 is attached to at least one portion of the external surface 2 of the structure 20 (step 101). It is of course possible to attach several leak detection sensors 4, for example to arrange several separate sensors forming an array of sensors. These leak detection sensors 4 may be of the same type or may be different sensors based on different detection technologies. Advantageously, a composite layer (of the same type as the structural repair element 7) is arranged between the leak detection sensor 4 and the external surface 2 of the structure 20.
[0057] Particularly advantageous locations for the leak detection sensors are at the axial ends of the repair wrap, along the axis or preferred direction of the defect (or weak point, if any) in structure 20.
[0058] This first step may also include sealing weak spots, such as defects 6, of the structure 20 with the structural repair element 7. The leak detection sensor 4 is then placed on or partially embedded in the structural repair element 7. The structural repair element 7 may typically simply be a composite layer that serves as a substrate for the encapsulation material 5 and the leak detection sensor 4. This may improve adhesion of both, especially on the exterior surface 2.
[0059] To protect the structure 20, an encapsulant 5 is applied to at least a portion of the exterior surface 2 of the structure 20 having the leak detection sensor 4 (step 102).
[0060] The encapsulation material 5 is configured to collect the fluid 3 in a porous structure, such as that obtained in a three-dimensional fabric. As shown in FIG. 5, such a porous structure can be created in a step 102 of applying the encapsulation material and a step 103 of hardening it. Typically, the encapsulation material 5 is a composite material including a resin and fibers. The encapsulation material 5 can be in a non-cured state (also called "unhardened" or "non-hardened") when applied. In particular, at least one component of the encapsulation material 5 can be in a liquid state, for example a resin. In order to form pores in this non-hardened encapsulation material 50, it is possible to inject a fluid, more particularly a gas, into the non-hardened encapsulation material 50 (step 51). This injection can usually be performed under a pressure of about 1 bar.
[0061] A hose can be applied to the uncured encapsulant 50 to inject gas into the uncured encapsulant 50. A foil or film bubble can be placed inside the uncured encapsulant 50 to avoid puncturing the resin of the uncured encapsulant 50.
[0062] As shown in step 103, the uncured encapsulant 50 may be cured. Curing of the uncured encapsulant 50 may be accomplished by, for example, increasing the temperature, reducing the external pressure, exposing the uncured encapsulant 50 to radiation, or adding ingredients to the uncured encapsulant 50 that result in hardening of the structure using known curing mechanisms including thermal, radiation, or chemically induced processes.
[0063] Additionally, an outer shell 8 may be disposed over the encapsulation material 5 (step 104) using known deposition processes.
[0064] While the foregoing detailed description has presented at least one exemplary embodiment, it should be understood that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are in no way intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the various embodiments. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient guide to implementing the exemplary embodiments contemplated herein. It will be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the components described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the various embodiments as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A protection system (1) for a structure (20) that contains a fluid (3), such as a pipe, tank, or the like that contains the fluid, the containment system comprising: an encapsulation material (5) disposed on at least one portion of the exterior surface (2) of the structure, the portion corresponding to a portion of the exterior surface of the structure; At least one leak detection sensor (4) arranged to be covered or surrounded by the encapsulation material; the containment material is configured to collect at least a portion of the fluid in at least one cavity formed in the containment material, thereby containing leakage of the fluid to an exterior of the structure in the event of a leak occurring within the structure in the at least one portion; A protection system, wherein leakage of fluid into the containment material triggers detection of a leak by the leak detection sensor.
2. 2. The protective system of claim 1, wherein the encapsulation material comprises at least one of a porous material having closed non-communicating cavities, a porous material having open communicating cavities, and a flexible material configured to expand upon receiving pressure from a fluid to form a cavity.
3. 3. The protective system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the containment material is a porous material that absorbs fluids in the event of a leak and contains the escape of fluids outside the structure.
4. 4. The protective system of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant comprises at least one of a fiber-based material, a woven material, a foam, a 3D printed porous material, and a porous adhesive.
5. The protective system of claim 1 , wherein the containment material comprises a woven material having a three-dimensional porous structure.
6. 6. The protective system of claim 1, wherein the encapsulation material is made of a stack of multiple layers, each layer including at least one of a porous material having closed non-communicating cavities, a porous material having open communicating cavities, a flexible material configured to expand to form cavities when subjected to pressure from a fluid, a fiber-based material, a woven material, a foam, and a porous adhesive.
7. The protection system of claim 6, wherein at least two separate layers of the stack of layers include a leak detection sensor (4, 14).
8. 8. The protective system of claim 1, further comprising an outer shell (8) surrounding the encapsulation material.
9. 9. A protective system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said at least one portion of said external surface is provided with a structural repair element (7) thereon.
10. 10. A protective system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the containment system has a thickness in the range between 1 mm and 30 cm.
11. A method (100) for protecting a structure (20) that encloses a fluid (3), such as a pipe, tank, or the like that encloses the fluid, the method comprising: Attaching (101) at least one leak detection sensor (4, 14) to at least one portion of an external surface (2) of said structure; applying (102) an encapsulant (5) to the at least one portion of the external surface (2) of the structure, the portion corresponding to the external surface of the structure, so as to cover or surround the at least one leak detection sensor; the containment material is configured to collect at least a portion of the fluid in at least one cavity formed in the containment material, thereby containing leakage of the fluid to an exterior of the structure in the event of a leak occurring within the structure in the at least one portion; The method, wherein leakage of fluid into the containment material triggers detection of a leak by the leak detection sensor.
12. Prior to attaching the at least one leak detection sensor and applying the encapsulant, 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching a structural repair element (7) to said at least one portion of said exterior surface of said structure.
13. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising disposing (104) an outer shell (8) surrounding the encapsulation material.
14. applying (102) the encapsulant (50) in an uncured state to the at least one portion of the exterior surface of the structure; applying (51) a fluid under pressure into the encapsulation material to create cavities that form a porous structure in the encapsulation material; The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: curing (103) the encapsulant.
15. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising removing the fluid applied to the encapsulant to form a porous structure having cavities under a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.