System for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit

Abstract

A system for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit includes a plurality of sensors to detect a presence of a leaked fluid between an inner layer and an outer layer at spaced axial locations along the axial dimension of the conduit. A weather data record is recorded based on environmental precipitation weather event data from a local weather monitor. The location of the site of the atmospheric moisture entry into the conduit at the time of the weather event is extrapolated from time and location of leaked fluid data from the plurality of the sensors.

Description

AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)1SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND LOCATING A SITE OF ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE ENTRY INTO A CONDUITCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application S.N. 63 / 778,866, filed March 27, 2025, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Refineries, chemical plants, power stations, and other industrial facilities employ tens of millions of square meters of hot-service insulation. Some examples of industrial insulation materials include: mineral wool, fiberglass, aerogel, and calcium silicate. Such industrial insulation materials protect outdoor equipment and piping systems operating between ambient temperatures and about 650°C. When some industrial insulation materials get wet, their insulating properties may be diminished. If wet insulation can be located, mitigation strategies may be implemented to save energy and prevent corrosion under insulation (CUI).SUMMARY

[0003] A system for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit includes a plurality of sensors to detect a presence of a leaked fluid between an inner layer and an outer layer at spaced axial locations along the axial dimension of the conduit. A weather data record is recorded based on environmental precipitation weather event data from a local weather monitor. The location of the site of the atmospheric moisture entry into the conduit at the time of the weather event is extrapolated from time and location of leaked fluid data from the plurality of the sensors.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)2BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Features of aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to similar, though perhaps not identical, components. For the sake of brevity, reference numerals or features having a previously described function may or may not be described in connection with other drawings in which they appear.

[0005] Fig. 1 depicts a partially cutaway, partially cross sectional, schematic perspective view of an aspect of moisture sensors on an insulated conduit as disclosed herein;

[0006] Fig. 2A depicts a schematic longitudinal cross section of another aspect of moisture sensors on an insulated conduit as disclosed herein;

[0007] Fig. 2B depicts a schematic longitudinal cross section of another aspect of moisture sensors on an insulated conduit as disclosed herein;

[0008] Fig. 3 is a semi-schematic perspective view of an aspect of a section of conduit with a pair of sensors installed at opposite edges of a piece of sheet metal jacketing connected to a single, wireless transmitter between the two sensors in the pair of sensors;

[0009] Fig. 4 is a Time of Flight vs. Distance From Sensor Pair graph illustrating an aspect of using a single pair of sensors to compensate for uncertainty in locating a breach based on multiple rain events;

[0010] Fig. 5 is schematic longitudinal cross sectional view depicting an aspect of evaporation - condensation fluid migration in an insulation layer of an insulated conduit as disclosed herein;

[0011] Fig. 6 is a graphical illustration of an aspect of location of a leak by extrapolation as disclosed herein;

[0012] Fig. 7 is a graphical illustration of an aspect of location of a leak by interpolation as disclosed herein; and

[0013] Fig. 8 is a system block diagram depicting an aspect of a system for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit are disclosed herein.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)3DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Examples of a system and method for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit are disclosed herein. Refineries, chemical plants, power stations, and other industrial facilities employ tens of millions of square meters of hot-service insulation. When some industrial insulation materials get wet, their insulating properties may be diminished. Further, corrosion under insulation (CUI) may be reduced if wet insulation can be discovered and located in time to prevent significant damage to the pipe that is used to transport hot fluids. If wet insulation can be located, mitigation strategies may be implemented to save energy.

[0015] As used herein, the term “conduit” means a channel through which something, for example, a fluid, is conveyed. As used herein, the conduit 10 includes a fluid transporting pipe, insulation that surrounds the pipe, and an outer jacket configured to protect the insulation from effects of the environment surrounding the conduit 10. For example, the jacket may be configured to protect the insulation from sunlight, heat, rain, snow, hail, dust, salt, chemical damage, and / or animal related damage.

[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates how moisture can migrate axially in an insulation layer of an insulated conduit. Even if the pipe inside the conduit carries a fluid at temperatures as high as 650 degrees Celsius (°C), environmental precipitation (e.g., rainwater, or snow) that infiltrates into the insulation layer (e.g., via a breach in jacket 64 that surrounds an exterior of the insulation layer) does not immediately escape the conduit even if it evaporates. Evaporation may cause a pressure gradient that pushes the water vapor axially away from the breach in the jacket 64. Further, the water vapor may cool and condense into liquid water near the jacket. The liquid water may migrate radially and axially by wicking and from being urged by gravity and other forces. A repetitive cycle of evaporation, condensation and wicking may move the water long distances. It has been observed that, over time, a small mechanical defect (e.g., a gap, crack or hole) in the jacket 64 can result in hundreds of meters of wet insulation. (See Williams, John, Cracking the code: Thermal Insulation In Ethylene Plants, Hydrocarbon Engineering, 18 July 2023.)AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)4

[0017] As disclosed herein, in the presence of an entry site, a weather event (such as rain) may cause atmospheric moisture (e.g., rainwater or vapor from evaporated rainwater) to flow in a wavelike manner along an axial dimension of the conduit. A velocity or displacement function of the moisture wave can be used, along with data from moisture sensors at spaced intervals along the conduit, and data about the weather event (including time of occurrence), to determine a location of the entry site. As disclosed herein, a relatively affordable number of moisture monitors can be placed at spaced intervals to effectively monitor the conduit for atmospheric moisture entry sites.

[0018] Atmospheric moisture can enter the conduit in many ways. Some nonlimiting examples of entry sites may include cracks, holes, dents and corrosion perforation on the jacket 64 of the conduit 10. Atmospheric moisture can be in many forms, including rainwater, melted snow / ice, as well as local sources, such as deluge testing of fire protection systems, and drift from nearby cooling towers.

[0019] Still referring to Fig. 1 , an example of a temperature profile 24 in the insulation layer 30 depicts a temperature over 100°C close to the pipe wall, also called an inner layer 40 herein. The temperature drops as the radial position approaches the outer layer 50. On top of the conduit 10 is graphical depiction of insulation moisture content 28 running the length of the conduit 10. The vertical axis 26 depicts insulation moisture content. A transient wave 23 or spike from rainfall is depicted traveling parallel to the central axis of the conduit 10. Although the transient wave 23 is shown as being sinusoidal, the wave can take any shape. A non-zero baseline level 25 is shown in Fig. 1 ; however, it is to be understood that dry insulation would have a moisture level that is close to zero. The inset diagram 22 shows a rain event 27. The “Time of flight”, also called the “leak discovery latency time” 31 herein, as shown in the inset diagram 22 is measured from the initiation of the rain event 27 to an amplitude of the wave form for Sensor A. It is to be understood that the time may be measured from any portion of the wave form. For example, the time to reach a certain, predetermined moisture level at the sensors may be used in determining the time that the wave travels. The phase lag 32 depicted in inset diagram 22 is a measure of the time that it takes for the moisture wave to travel from Sensor A toAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)5Sensor B. Although Fig. 1 depicts an loT transmitter 58 connected to moisture sensor A and moisture sensor B, it is to be understood that any electromagnetic communication technology may be used to communicate data from the plurality of sensors 70. For example, WiFi, cellular communications, radio communications, fiberoptic communications, free-space optical communications, analog electrical communications, or digital electrical communications technologies may be used to communicate the data from the sensors 70. A breach in the jacketing, also called an entry site 29 herein, is shown as a band around the conduit 10. The jacketing is also referred to as the jacket, the metal outer layer, or the outer layer. As stated above, the entry site 29 can take any form that would allow entry of atmospheric moisture. In an aspect, an entry site 29 in a metal outer layer 50 may include cracks, holes, dents and corrosion perforation. An unsealed joint between sections of a metal outer layer 50 may be an entry site 29. The outer layer can be made from any material that is resistant to entry of water into the insulation layer 30. In an aspect, the outer layer 50 may be a metal, a waterproof fabric, a plastic, a ceramic or a composite. The outer layer 50 may, itself include multiple layers, for example: a steel substrate with a galvanized (zinc) coating, or a metalized polyester film. In aspects, the outer layer 50 may have a patch or repair disposed over the outer layer 50. The patch or repair may leak and allow the environmental moisture to breach the outer layer 50 at the entry site 29.

[0020] Fig. 2A depicts a schematic longitudinal cross section of another aspect of moisture sensors on an insulated conduit as disclosed herein. Example scenarios of leak location detection using the schematic of Fig. 2A are presented below in the context of Figs. 6 and 7. It is to be understood that the sensors may be spaced at any suitable interval. In an aspect, the sensors may be installed in a range of intervals from 1 meter to 100 meters. In an aspect, the sensors may be installed at intervals of 10 meters, 20 meters, 30 meters, 40 meters, or 50 meters. In aspects, the sensors may be installed on an outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50. In aspects, the sensors may be installed on an outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50. In aspects, the sensors may be installed inside the outer layer 50. In aspects, the sensors may be installed on the outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50, with a probe that extends through aAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)6sensor aperture defined in the outer layer 50. A seal may be disposed to prevent leaks at the sensor aperture.

[0021] Fig. 2B depicts a schematic longitudinal cross section of another aspect of moisture sensors on an insulated conduit as disclosed herein. Fig. 2B is similar to Fig. 2A, except a smaller number of sensors (e.g., 2 sensors) are used to locate, and quantify the effect of, multiple entry sites. It is to be understood that the sensors may be spaced at any suitable interval. In an aspect, the sensors may be installed in sparse sensor pairs where the sensors in each sparse sensor pair are separated by a suitable range. In an aspect, the sparse sensor pairs may be installed separated from each other at a range of intervals from about 0.1 to about 2.0 meters, about 1 meter to about 10 meters, about 10 meters to about 50 meters, or about 50 meters to about 150 meters. In aspects, the intervals between sparse sensor pairs is twice the maximum moisture wave detection range.

[0022] In an aspect, a sparse sensor pair is capable of detecting a moisture wave at a maximum of 100 meters from the entry site 29. In such an aspect, a first sparse sensor pair may be installed at location 100, and a second sparse sensor pair may be installed at a location 300, which is 200 meters away from location 100. As such, an entry site that is located at location 200, which is midway between location 100 and location 300, would introduce moisture waves that are detectable by both the first sparse sensor pair, and the second sparse sensor pair. However, if an entry site is located at location 250, which is 150 meters from the first sparse sensor pair, and 50 meters from the second sparse sensor pair, the moisture wave introduced at location 250 may be beyond the detection range of the first sparse sensor pair, but within the range of the second sparse sensor pair.

[0023] In aspects, the sensors may be installed on an outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50. In aspects, the sensors may be installed on an outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50. In aspects, the sensors may be installed inside the outer layer 50. In aspects, the sensors may be installed on the outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50, with a probe that extends through a sensor aperture defined in the outer layer 50. A seal may be disposed to prevent leaks at the sensor aperture.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)7

[0024] Although two pairs of sensors are used in the aspect disclosed above, fewer sensors could also be used to detect the entry site. In an aspect, one pair of sensors could be used to detect the entry site as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a semi-schematic perspective view of an aspect of the present disclosure including a section of conduit 10’ with a pair of sensors 38 (Sensor 6, Sensor 7) installed at opposite edges of a piece of sheet metal jacketing 65. In the aspect shown in Fig. 3, the sensors (Sensor 6, Sensor 7) are each installed by sliding the sensor between overlapping layers of sheet metal at the joint between adjacent pieces of sheet metal. In the aspect, the piece of sheet metal jacketing 65 is about 3 feet long in the conduit axial direction. In the aspect depicted in Fig. 3, Sensor 6 and Sensor 7 are each electrically connected via wire to a single, wireless transmitter 35 between the two sensors 6, 7 in the pair of sensors 38.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a Time of Flight vs. Distance From Sensor Pair graph illustrating an aspect of the present disclosure including using a single pair of sensors to compensate for uncertainty in locating a breach based on multiple rain events. In aspects, adjacent sensors may be connected to a single transmitter and treated as a pair of sensors 38. See, for example, Fig. 3. In such an aspect, the position of the pair of sensors 38 may be determined by averaging the positions of the individual sensors in the pair of sensors 38. In the aspect depicted in Fig. 4, two rain events are used by a single pair of sensors 38 to compensate for potential uncertainty (illustrated as “Prediction error” in Fig. 4) in determining the location of the entry site 29, also called “Breach” in Fig. 4. The velocity of the moisture wave travelling between the sensors 6,7 in the pair of sensors 38 may be determined by comparing the time at which the sensors 6, 7 detect the moisture wave, and dividing by the distance between the sensors 6,7.

[0027] Fig. 4 depicts a method for locating breaches in jacketing: 1. Sensorpair (e.g., 38) measures wave speed, (V / ^Vheavy) and direction-of-travel. 2.Calculate time-of-flight, (TOFught, TO F heavy) from local weather data: (TOFnght, TOFheavy = timearrivai - timerain-event). 3. Calculate breach distance, x: [±x =(V light, Vheav y) x TOFnght, TOFheavy)]. 4. Pinpoint breach direction from wave direction.5. Use multiple rain events to refine estimate.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)8

[0028] Fig. 5 is schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view depicting an example of evaporation - condensation fluid migration in an insulation layer of an insulated conduit as disclosed herein.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a graphical illustration of an example of location of a leak by extrapolation as disclosed herein. In the example, the relative locations of the sensors (Sensor 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 , 12 and 13) are shown on Fig. 2A. Leak 1 is axially located between sensor 3 and sensor 4. It is to be understood that the moisture wave may proceed in both directions from the entry site. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the speed of the migrating waves is constant between the entry site 29 and the sensors, however migrating waves may flow in opposite directions from the entry site 29. It is to be understood that the graph in Fig. 6 depicts location on the abscissa and time on the ordinate axis. Therefore, the speed of the migrating wave is the reciprocal of the slope of the vector drawn through the sensor data points and the entry site 29 or “Leak 1” or “Leak 2.” As shown in Fig. 6, in an aspect, the location of the entry site 29 can be determined by extrapolating a vector through the data points from sensor 4 and sensor 5, and determining where the vector intersects the event time line (in Fig. 6, the event time line is at Time = 30.)

[0030] In the calculations presented herein, the units of time can be any suitable time unit, for example, years, days, hours, seconds. A suitable time unit provides appropriate resolution compared to the speed of the migrating wave. For example, if the speed of the migrating wave is about 30 meters per day, and it is desirable to determine the location of the entry site with a resolution of 0.1 meter, it may not be necessary to record time at a resolution of microseconds. In such a situation, recording time data with resolution of minutes may provide adequate resolution. Although recording time data with higher than necessary resolution may not produce inferior results, the amount of storage space for the data may increase with higher resolution data.

[0031] In the aspects shown in Fig. 6, it may be useful to know that the entry site 29 is between two adjacent sensors. If we assume that the moisture wave proceeds at the same speed in both directions, and the sensors are spaced at equalAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)9intervals, then the first two sensors to detect the moisture waves must be on opposite sides of the entry site 29. In the aspect shown in Fig. 6, the first two signals came from Sensor 3 (Times = 31 ) and Sensor 4 (Time4 = 32). Since Sensor 3 has a smaller location (xs = 60 m) than Sensor 4 (X4 = 90 m), and the entry site 29 is between Sensor 3 and Sensor 4, the velocity of the moisture wave traveling from the entry site 29 through Sensor 3 is negative. By similar reasoning, the velocity of the moisture wave traveling from the entry site 29 through Sensor 4 is positive. Thus, the moisture waves may be represented by a first vector 42 through the data points associated with Sensor 3 and Sensor 2, and a second vector 44 through the data points associated with Sensor 4 and Sensor 5.

[0032] If the weather event time is known, then the first vector 42 will intersect the event time at the location of the entry site 29. An aspect of the calculation using data shown on Fig. 6 is provided here:AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)10Table 1 - Aspect ASensor Location (x) Time (y)2 30 343 60 31Eq. 1 y2 - y3m = - Definition of slope m forX2 — X3 first vector 42Eq. 2 34 - 31 Substitute sensor data inm“ 30 - 60 Eq. 1Simplify 3Eq. 2m“ -30Eq. 3 m = -1 / 10Eq. 4 y = mx + b general form of equation ofa lineEq. 5 y2 = mx2 + b Apply Sensor 2 data to Eq.4Eq. 6 34 = -0.10 * 30 + b Subst. sensor 2 data in Eq.5Eq. 7 b= 37 Simplify Eq. 6Eq. 8 y = —0.10% + 37 Subst. m from Eq. 3 and bfrom Eq. 7 into Eq. 4Eq. 9 solve for x where y =(37 - 30) * 10 = x weather event time = 30Eq. 10 x = 70 Simplify Eq. 9. Entry site isat 70.

[0033] If the weather event time is not known, the location of the entry site 29 can be determined by finding an intersection of the first vector 42 and the second vector 44. An aspect of the calculation using data shown on Fig. 6 is provided here:Table 2 Aspect BSensor Location (x) Time (y)2 30 343 60 314 90 325 120 35AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)11Table 3 Aspect BFirst vector Second vectoryz -y? ys -yt Definition of slope m for Eq. 11 A, 11 B mi = - m2 = - %2 — %3 X5 ~ X4 first vector 42 and second vector 44 34 - 31 35 - 32 Substitute sensor data Eq. 12A, 12Bmi“ 30 - 60m2~ 120 - 90 in Eq. 11 A, 11 B 3 3 Simplify Eq. 12A, 12B Eq. 13A, 13Bmi= -307712 =30Slopes of First Vector mi = —1 / 10Eq. 14A, 14B m2 = 1 / 10and Second Vector Eq. for First Vector and IT = miXl + bi 12 = mzX2 + bzEq. 15A, 15B Second Vector Solve Eq. 15A, 15B for bi — IT — miXl bi — Y2 — miX2Eq. 16A, 16B b1, b2Subst. points on vectors bi — yi — miX2Eq. 17A, 17B bz = y4 — m2X4in Eq. 16A, 16B Entry Site is at Eq. 18A IT = 12 = Yesl Intersection of First Eq. 18BXI = X2 = Xesl Vector and Second Vector miXl + bi = mzX2 + bz Subst. Eq. 15A, 15B in Eq. 19 Eq. 18A_ bz — b-\ Subst. Eq. 18B in Eq. Eq. 20 — 19y4 — mzx^ — yi + mi%2 Subst. Eq. 17A, 17B in Eq. 21 ^esl — Eq. 20_ 32 - (0.1 * 90) - 34 + (-0.1 * 30) Subst. Sensor Data and Eq. 22Xesl~ -0.1 - 0.1 Eq. 14A, 14B in Eq. 2132 - 9 - 34 - 3 Simplify Eq. 22 Eq. 23Xesl~ -0.1 - 0.1_ -14 Simplify Eq. 23 Eq. 24Xesl~ -0.2Simplify Eq. 24 Eq. 25 Xesl= 70Location of Entry SiteAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)12Combine Eq. 15A and Eq. 26 Yesl= miXesl+ bi Eq. 18A to Check Time of Event Subst. Eq. 17A in Eq. Eq. 27 Yesl= miXesl+ y2- mix226 Subst. Sensor 2 data, Yesi= -0-1 * 70 + 34 - (-0.1 * 30) Eq. 14A and Eq. 25 in Eq. 27 Yesi = -7 + 34 + 3Time of Eventagrees with Yesi= 30previouscalculation

[0034] Fig. 7 is a graphical illustration of an aspect of location of a leak by interpolation of data from 2 moisture sensors as disclosed herein. In the aspect, the relative locations of the sensors (Sensor 3, 4, 11 and 12) are shown on Fig. 2A. Leak 1 is axially located between sensor 3 and sensor 4. It is to be understood that the moisture wave may proceed in both directions (left and right in Fig. 2A) from the entry site. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the speed of the migrating waves is constant between the entry site 29 and the sensors, however migrating waves may flow in opposite directions from the entry site 29. It is to be understood that the graph in Fig. 7 depicts location on the abscissa and time on the ordinate axis. For calculating and illustration convenience, the time coordinates are converted to discovery latency time, with the discovery latency time of the wave travelling in the negative x direction depicted as a negative time, and the discovery latency time of the wave travelling in the positive x direction depicted as a positive time. This calculating convenience makes the slope constant, rather than mirrored as in Fig. 6.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 7, in an aspect, the location of the entry site 29 can be determined by interpolating the sensor data, or by finding the “x intercept” of a line drawn between the data points from sensor 3 and sensor 4.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)13

[0036] If the weather event time is known, then the leak discovery latency times for the sensors on opposite sides of the entry site 29 can be used to locate the entry site 29. The first 2 sensors to detect the moisture wave are sensors 3 and 4 in the sample calculations provided below:Table 4 Aspect CSensor Location (x) Time (y) Event Time DiscoveryLatencyTime2 30 34 30 -43 60 31 30 -14 90 32 30 25 120 35 30 5Table 5 Aspect CDs, 4 = |%3 - X4| Axial (X) distance between Eq. 28 closest sensors Subst. Sensor Data from Eq. 29 Ds, 4 = |60 - 90|Table 4 in Eq. 28 Eq. 30 Ds, 4 — 30 Simplify Eq. 29Eq. 31 TLT3,4 = \lt3\ + |Zt4| Total of latency times TLT3,4 = I— 1| + |2| Subst. latency times from Eq. 32 Table 4Eq. 33 TLTs,4 = 3 Simplify Eq. 32Interpolation fraction for Eq. 34LTF3 =TLT3.4sensor on left Subst. sensor 3 latency 1 time from Table 4 and Eq. 35 LTF3= - Total Latency Time from Eq. 33 in Eq. 34xesl = <LTF3 XD3,4) + *3 Interpolated position ofEq. 36 Entry Site 1AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)14 / I \ Subst. LTF3 from Eq. 35, Eq. 37xesi = I 3x30 I + 60 D34 from Eq. 30 and x3 from Table 4 in Eq. 36 Eq. 38 %esl 70 Simplify Eq. 37_ 32 - 9 - 34 - 3 Copy Eq. 23 to verify Eq. Eq. 39Xesl~ -0.1 - 0.1 38-14Eq. 40 Xpcl -esl-0.2 Simplify Eq. 39Simplify Eq. 3940, Eq. 41xesl 70 Location of Entry Siteagrees with Eq. 38

[0037] Still referring to Fig. 7, another way of determining the location of the entry site is based on the weather event time and the position and time data from sensors closest to the entry site 29. A line segment is constructed between the sensor data points and the constructed line intersects the normalized event time line at the entry site 29.Table 6 Aspect DSensor Location (x) Time Event Time DiscoveryLatencyTime (y)2 30 34 30 -43 60 31 30 -14 90 32 30 25 120 35 30 5AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)15Table 7 Aspect Dgeneral form of equation y = mx + bEq. 42 of a liney4 - ysm = - Definition of slope m for X4 ~ X3Eq. 43 line between Sensor 3 and Sensor 42 - -1m“ 90 - 60 Subst. Sensor data from Eq. 44 Table 63m“ 30Eq. 45 Simplify Eq. 44m = 1 / 10Eq. 46 Simplify Eq. 45y3= mx3 + bSubst. sensor 3 Eq. 47 coordinates in Eq. 422 = 0.10 * 90 + b Subst. sensor 3 Eq. 48 coordinates and m from Eq. 46 in Eq. 47 b= -7Eq. 49 Solve Eq. 48 for b y = 0.10% — 7Subst. m from Eq. 46 and Eq. 50 b from Eq. 49 in Eq. 42(y + 7) * 10 = x Rearrange Eq. 50, solve Eq. 51 forx(0 + 7) * 10 = xeslx intercept is where y = 0 Eq. 52 x intercept is location of entry site xesi— 70Simplify Eq. 52, Eq. 52 Location of entry site

[0038] Referring to Fig. 4, an aspect of how to determine the location of a breach from a pair of sensors using 2 events is provided in Example E. The firstAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)16event occurs at Event Time = 30. The second event occurs at Event Time = 130. The second event is a heavier rain storm compared to the first event. The heavier rain storm of the second event causes a larger moisture wave that travels twice the speed of the lighter rain storm in the first event.Table 8 Aspect ESensor Location (x) Time (y) Event Time DiscoveryLatencyTime6 50 80 30 507 53 83 30 536 50 155 130 257 53 156.5 130 26.5Table 9 Aspect E|%6+ *71AvgX6,7 =2Average (X) location for Eq. 53 pair of sensors I50 + 53I Subst. Sensor Data from Eq. 54 AvgX6,7 = - - - - - Table 8 in Eq. 53 Eq. 55 AvgX6,7 = 51.5 Simplify Eq. 541^61 + 1^71 Average of latency times Eq. 56 AvgLT6,7 =for event.T T|50| + |53| Subst. latency times from Eq. 57 AvgLT6,7 = Table 8, event 30 into Eq.56 AvgLTej = 51.5Eq. 58 Simplify Eq. 32X7 ~ X6^6,7 —y7- ye Velocity of moisture wave Eq. 59 at sensor pair 53 - 50VA 7 = - Subst. Sensor Data for6753 - 50 event 30 from Table 8 in Eq. 60Eq. 59AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)17V6,7= 1Simplify Eq. 60 Eq. 61Xesi = (y6,7xAvgLTej) - AvgX6,7 position of Entry Site 1 Eq. 62Subst. V67 from Eq. 61 , Eq. 63xesi=(1 x 51.5) — 51.5 AvgLT67 from Eq. 58 and AvgX67 from Eq. 55 Eq. 64xesl — 0 Simplify Eq. 63 |25| + |26.5| Subst. latency times from Eq. 65 AvgLTe,? = Table 8, event 130 into Eq. 56 Eq. 66 AvgLTej = 25.75 Simplify Eq. 6553 - 50Subst. Sensor Data forV6'7“ 156.5 - 155Eq. 67 event 130 from Table 8 in Eq. 59 V6,7- 2Eq. 68 Simplify Eq. 67 Subst. V67 from Eq. 68, xesl= (2 x 25.75) - 51.5Eq. 69 AvgLT67 from Eq. 66 and AvgX67 from Eq. 55 Eq. 70xesl — 0 Simplify Eq. 69

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, there may be uncertainty associated with the collection of the data and the material properties involved in the determination of the location of the “breach.” As shown in Fig. 4, a small error in the time of detection of the moisture wave or determination of the time of a rain event may lead to an error in the calculation of the Time of Flight (discovery latency time). As shown in Fig. 4, the error may be proportional to the distance that the moisture wave travels. As disclosed herein, the ultimate effect of random errors on the estimation of the location of the entry site 29 (“breach”) may be reduced by statistically combining the results calculated from a plurality of rain events at the same location. If a probability density function for the error is known, a probability that the location of the entry site being the calculated location may be reported. In an aspect, the entry site may be atAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)18location 50 with a standard deviation of 1.5. Such information may help in determining if more samples should be used before mitigation of the “breach” is attempted.

[0040] Fig. 8 is a system block diagram depicting an aspect of a system for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit as disclosed herein. The system may include a plurality of sensors 70 connected to the conduit 10. Fig. 8 includes five sensors: a first sensor 101 , a second sensor 102, a third sensor 103, a fourth sensor 104, and a fifth sensor 105. It is to be understood that the quantity of sensors in the plurality of sensors 70 may be two or more sensors. In an aspect, the plurality of sensors 70 may include 2 sensors, 5 sensors, 10 sensors, 20 sensors, 50 sensors, 100 sensors, 1000 sensors, or 10,000 sensors. The plurality of sensors 70 may be connected to a network 63. The network may include a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) 53, a processor 55, computer memory 56, user interface 48, and / or a weather monitor 46. The user interface 48 may include a web portal, mobile app, and / or SCADA user interface.

[0041] In aspects, the system for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit may have a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors may have a unique identifier. This identifier may be, in an aspect, an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned by a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. The identifier may be a serial number assigned to each sensor. There are many other ways that the disclosed system may uniquely identify each sensor in the plurality of sensors. In an aspect, sensors may be identified by their unique Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. Each sensor may have a function to determine its own GPS coordinates, which could facilitate system set-up. The sensors could be simplified by using a unique identifier and having a table of GPS coordinates stored in a database and indexed by the unique identifier for the sensor. Location is not limited to GPS location. Wireless telephone based systems may use signals from mobile phone towers to triangulate the location. In aspects, the sensor location systems may be converted from GPS space (latitude, longitude, altitude) to conduit space (position along the longitudinal axis of the conduit). InAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)19aspects where the velocity of the moisture wave is influenced by changes in elevation, the coordinate system may include altitude data.

[0042] In aspects, during an initial placement and initialization of each sensor, identification, calibration, asset tracking, and other data may be entered into memory on each sensor, and / or in a database. GPS coordinates may provide coarse resolution positioning. Data related to each sensor may include information about the conduit, including a line number (e.g. an alphanumeric code that communicates information about the particular conduit, including: size, contents, pressure, materials, age, and to-and-from information). In aspects, the sensor initialization may be accomplished via a separate handheld device (e.g. a mobile phone) to record coordinates and photograph the sensor’s position and local environment.

[0043] In aspects, the sensors 70 may communicate data in any suitable way. in aspects, WiFi, cellular communications, radio communications, fiber optic communications, free-space optical communications, analog electrical communications, or digital electrical communications technologies may be used to communicate the data from the sensors 70. The sensors 70 may be powered in any suitable way. Examples of suitable power methods include Power Over Ethernet (POE), DC power, AC power, solar electric power, thermoelectric power (e.g.Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, Thomson effect, or combinations thereof), or chemical battery cells. Sets of sensors may share a power supply or each sensor may have its own power source. Similarly, sets of sensors may be connected to a bridge or switch to transmit data. Sensors may use any form of communications protocol to communicate sensor data. In aspects, Ethernet technology may be used for communication. Examples may use Internet of Things for communication. In aspects, the sensors and communication components may be compatible with certain codes related to the installation environment. In aspects, the components may be configured to comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70®, National Electric Code® (NEC). NFPA 70 NEC Articles 500 through 503 cover the requirements for electrical / electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages in Class I, Divisions 1 and 2; Class II, Divisions 1 and 2; and Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 locations. The sensors and communication components may be configured toAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)20operate with a certain level of communications security, including frequency designations and encryption protocols.

[0044] In aspects, the sensors may produce data that corresponds to an amount of moisture in the insulation layer. In aspects, the sensors may transmit data that corresponds to percent saturation of the insulation. The sensors may detect a wave front, a wave peak, or any part of a wave or surge in moisture that results from entry of atmospheric moisture into the entry site 29. In aspects of the present disclosure, a pair of sensors may detect a wave’s direction of travel. In an aspect, data from each sensor is stored in a database. The sensor data may include sensor ID, location coordinates, a moisture level, temperature, and time. A computer system, in an aspect, a SCADA system may be used to supervise data collection and analysis, however, any suitable computer architecture may be used.

[0045] In aspects, weather data records may be recorded in a database based on environmental precipitation weather event data from a local weather monitor. In aspects, a threshold amount of precipitation during a period of time may be determined by a processor to be sufficient to initiate a moisture wave in the conduit. In an aspect, 0.1 inches of rain accumulated in 1 hour may be recorded as a qualifying weather event. The time of the weather event may be the time when the rainfall started during the qualifying weather event, or some other time related to the qualifying weather event. In an aspect, the time at which 0.1 inches of rain has accumulated during the qualifying weather event could be used. In aspects, since the system has the ability to determine the location and time of entry into the entry site using four sensors without weather event data, using the extrapolation aspect above, the system can learn the parameters of weather data (e.g. rate of precipitation, total amount of precipitation, wind speed, wind direction, or ambient temperature) that can be considered a qualifying weather event. Based on this data, a learning system can learn the relevant time to record as the event time for detection and location of a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit.

[0046] In aspects, the computer system may monitor the weather data records to narrow the field of search for sensor data that may indicate the presence of a moisture wave. Alternatively, the computer system may monitor sensor data recordsAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)21and, upon determining that a moisture wave has been initiated, search weather data records during a relevant time period for qualifying weather events. In an aspect, if moisture waves travel at about 30 meters per day in a system, and the sensors are spaced 300 meters apart, the relevant time period for searching weather data records over the most recent 10 days (+ / -10%) may be included in the search domain.

[0047] In aspects that use machine learning, an originally broad search domain may be narrowed based on experience from actual data in a relevant system. In an aspect, the environment, insulation type, jacket type, insulation / jacket installation configuration and facility configuration may all influence the rate at which moisture infiltrates a breach and moves through the insulation layer. Installed sensors may collect data for weather events and, optionally along with weather event data (e.g., temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation type, pipe temperature, time of year, time of day) may be used to train a machine learning model regarding moisture wave propagation rates and determine moisture leak locations.

[0048] In aspects, the system may learn that the moisture waves have a limit to how far they propagate. The system may project when a moisture wave is expected at a sensor, and the system may also determine an expected wave form. This predicted moisture wave data may be used to filter sensor data to handle moisture waves that are superimposed from a plurality of entry sites. In an aspect, if a moisture wave amplitude of 10 is expected at 2:00 o’clock at sensor 12, but an amplitude of 20 is recorded, then the composite moisture wave signal may be decoupled for analysis of the component waves.

[0049] It is to be understood that in aspects of the present disclosure, moisture waves may have linear displacement with respect to time, or the waves may have any velocity function. The velocity of the moisture waves may be affected by changes in elevation, cross sectional area of flow, process temperature, ambient temperature, density of insulation, insulation material, distance from the entry site 29, or any parameter that affects velocity of moisture waves in the conduit. In aspects, the moisture wave velocity may correlate to positions along the length of the conduit. In an aspect, in a first location, the moisture wave velocity may be fast, in a second location, the moisture wave velocity may be slower. It is to be understood that theAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)22velocity function may be integrated and the historical path of the moisture wave may be accurately determined using similar methods described herein except accounting for a velocity function that varies with position rather than constant velocity as shown in the calculation aspects. These aspects may also be captured in training data and used to train a machine learning model that, when trained, may be applied to target data to identify a moisture leak location.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 together, in an aspect, a system for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry 29 (Fig. 1) into a conduit 10 includes a plurality of sensors 70. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors 70 may be in electromagnetic communication with a processor 55. Each sensor may be disposed on or in the conduit 10, at respective spaced axial locations along an axial dimension of the conduit 10. The conduit 10 may include an inner layer 40, an outer layer 50, and an insulating layer 30 disposed between the inner layer 40 and the outer layer 50. An outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50 may be configured to be exposed to environmental precipitation. Each sensor may be to detect a presence of a leaked fluid between the inner layer 40 and the outer layer 50 at the respective spaced axial locations along the axial dimension of the conduit 10.

[0051] In aspects, a first sensor 101 (Fig. 8) may be disposed at a first axial location along the conduit 10. The first sensor may be to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location to the processor 55. A second sensor 102 (Fig. 8) may be disposed at a second axial location along the conduit 10. The second sensor may be to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location to the processor 55.

[0052] In aspects, the processor may have operatively associated therewith, a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium having embedded therein instructions executable by the processor 55, the instructions to: record in a memory 56, sensor data records having fields including sensor identification data, global position coordinates and axial location data for each sensor in the plurality of sensors 70; record in the memory 56, sensed data records having fields including a first timeAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)23at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor 55, and a second time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location was received by the processor 55; record in the memory 56, a weather data record based, at least in part, on weather data received from a local weather monitor 46 in electromagnetic communication with the processor 55, the weather data record having fields including a weather event and a time associated with the weather event, wherein local weather conditions expose the outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50 to a predetermined amount of the environmental precipitation during the weather event; determine an axial velocity for the leaked fluid between the first axial location and the second axial location based on a ratio of a difference between the earliest first time and the earliest second time to an axial distance between the first sensor and the second sensor; determine a leak discovery latency time, wherein the leak discovery latency time is a duration of a time interval between the time associated with the weather event and the earliest first time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor; and determine an axial location of a leaked fluid entry site 29 on the outer layer based on the leak discovery latency time, the axial velocity of the leaked fluid, and the first axial location.

[0053] In aspects, data from the local weather monitor 46 may be determined from airport weather data that is collected periodically by airport weather stations at locations around the world, and, in particular nearest to the conduit 10, and processed using an Application Programming Interface (API) to interpolate the airport weather data to estimate real-time weather conditions at global position coordinates that corresponds to a location along the conduit 10. In aspects, the location along the conduit 10 may be a location of an entry site 29. In aspects, the location along the conduit 10 may encompass the location of the entire conduit 10, or a portion of the conduit 10.

[0054] In aspects, the instructions may be to determine a duration of the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location or the second axial location, and wherein the duration is indicative of a leakage amount.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)24

[0055] In aspects, each of the plurality of sensors 70 is to detect moisture. In aspects, each of the plurality of sensors 70 is to detect the leaked fluid in a liquid phase.

[0056] In aspects, the conduit 10 may be a hot fluid transporting pipe, and the leaked fluid may move along the axial dimension of the conduit 10.

[0057] In aspects, a temperature of a hot fluid to be transported in the hot fluid transporting pipe is at least 100 degrees C.

[0058] In aspects, each sensor is positioned at a bottom portion of the outer surface 51 of the conduit 10. It is to be understood that the bottom portion of the outer surface 51 of the conduit 10 is a portion to which water will ultimately flow In aspects, each sensor includes a probe that extends through a respective sensor aperture defined in the outer layer 50, wherein a seal is disposed to prevent leaks at each respective sensor aperture.

[0059] In aspects, the local weather monitor 46 includes at least one of an internet weather service, a local weather station, or a network connected rain sensor.

[0060] In aspects, the instructions are to determine whether data from a sensor contains an error based on data from adjacent sensors in the plurality of sensors 70.

[0061] In aspects, the memory 56 is structured as at least one database.

[0062] In a second aspect, a method of determining a location of a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit includes providing a plurality of sensors 70. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors 70 may be in electromagnetic communication with a processor 55. Each sensor may be disposed on or in the conduit 10, at respective spaced axial locations along an axial dimension of the conduit . The conduit 10 may include an inner layer 40, an outer layer 50, and an insulating layer 30 disposed between the inner layer 40 and the outer layer 50. An outer surface 51 of the outer layer 50 may be configured to be exposed to environmental precipitation. Each sensor may be to detect a presence of a leaked fluid between the inner layer 40 and the outer layer 50 at the respective spaced axial locations along the axial dimension of the conduit 10.

[0063] In aspects, the method may include monitoring a local weather monitor 46 in electromagnetic communication with the processor 55.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)25

[0064] In aspects, the method may include monitoring a first sensor disposed at a first axial location on the outer surface 51. The first sensor may be to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location to the processor 55. In aspects, the method may include monitoring a second sensor disposed at a second axial location on the outer surface. The second sensor may be to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location to the processor 55.

[0065] In aspects, the method may include recording, in a memory 56, sensor data records having fields including sensor identification data, global position coordinates and axial location data for each sensor in the plurality of sensors 70.

[0066] In aspects, the method may include recording, in the memory 56, sensed data records having fields including a first time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor 55, and a second time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location was received by the processor 55.

[0067] In aspects, the method may include recording, in the memory, a weather data record having fields including a weather event and a time associated with the weather event, wherein the local weather conditions expose the outer surface of the outer layer to a predetermined amount of the environmental precipitation during the weather event.

[0068] In aspects, the method may include determining an axial velocity for the leaked fluid between the first axial location and the second axial location based on a ratio of a difference between the first time and the second time to an axial distance between the first sensor and the second sensor;

[0069] In aspects, the method may include determining a leak discovery latency time, wherein the leak discovery latency time is a duration of a time interval between the time associated with the weather event and the first time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor 55.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)26

[0070] In aspects, the method may include determining an axial location of a leaked fluid entry site on the outer layer 50 based on the leak discovery latency time, the axial velocity of the leaked fluid, and the first axial location. In aspects, the method may include determining a duration of the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location or the second axial location. The duration may be indicative of a leakage amount. In aspects, each of the plurality of sensors may be to detect moisture. Each of the plurality of sensors may be to detect the leaked fluid in a liquid phase. In aspects, the conduit 10 may be a hot fluid transporting pipe. The leaked fluid may move along the axial dimension of the conduit 10. A temperature of a hot fluid to be transported in the hot fluid transporting pipe may be at least 60 degrees C. In aspects, each sensor may be positioned at a bottom portion of the outer surface of the conduit 10. In some aspects operated in cold environments, the temperature of a hot fluid to be transported in the hot fluid transporting pipe may be at least 30 degrees C.

[0071] In aspects, each sensor may include a probe that extends through a respective sensor aperture defined in the outer layer 50. In aspects, a seal may be disposed to prevent leaks at each respective sensor aperture. It is to be understood that the respective sensor aperture may involve slipping a thin moisture sensor between adjacent sheets of jacketing as shown in Fig. 3.

[0072] In aspects, the local weather monitor includes at least one of an internet weather service, a local weather station, or a network connected rain sensor.

[0073] In aspects, the method includes determining whether data from a sensor contains an error based on data from adjacent sensors in the plurality of sensors 70.

[0074] In aspects, the memory 56 may be structured as at least one database.

[0075] The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0076] The terms comprising, including, containing and various forms of these terms are synonymous with each other and are meant to be equally broad.

[0077] It is to be understood that the ranges provided herein include the stated range and any value or sub-range within the stated range, as if such values or subranges were explicitly recited. For example, a range of about 10m to about 30 mAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)27should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of about 10 m to about 30 m, but also to include individual values, such as about 12 m, about 15.5 m, etc., and sub-ranges, such as from about 22 m to about 27 m, from about 10 m to about 15m, etc. Furthermore, when “about” and / or “substantially” are / is utilized to describe a value, they are meant to encompass minor variations (up to + / - 10%) from the stated value.

[0078] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

[0079] Reference throughout the specification to “one example”, “another example”, “an example”, and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and / or characteristic) described in connection with the example is included in at least one example described herein, and may or may not be present in other examples. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements for any example may be combined in any suitable manner in the various examples unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0080] Reference throughout the specification to “one aspect”, “another aspect”, “an aspect”, and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and / or characteristic) described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements for any aspect may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)28

[0081] While several aspects have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered non-limiting.

Claims

AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)29What is claimed is:

1. A system for detecting and locating a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit, comprising:a plurality of sensors, each sensor in the plurality of sensors in electromagnetic communication with a processor, each sensor disposed on or in the conduit, at respective spaced axial locations along an axial dimension of the conduit, wherein the conduit includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an insulating layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein an outer surface of the outer layer is to be exposed to environmental precipitation, wherein each sensor is to detect a presence of a leaked fluid between the inner layer and the outer layer at the respective spaced axial locations along the axial dimension of the conduit;a first sensor disposed at a first axial location along the conduit, the first sensor to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location to the processor; anda second sensor disposed at a second axial location along the conduit, the second sensor to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location to the processor;the processor having operatively associated therewith, a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium having embedded therein instructions executable by the processor, the instructions to:record in a memory, sensor data records having fields including sensor identification data, global position coordinates and axial location data for each sensor in the plurality of sensors;record in the memory, sensed data records having fields including a first time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor, and a second time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location was received by the processor;AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)30record in the memory, a weather data record based, at least in part, on weather data received from a local weather monitor in electromagnetic communication with the processor, the weather data record having fields including a weather event and a time associated with the weather event, wherein local weather conditions expose the outer surface of the outer layer to a predetermined amount of the environmental precipitation during the weather event;determine an axial velocity for the leaked fluid between the first axial location and the second axial location based on a ratio of a difference between the earliest first time and the earliest second time to an axial distance between the first sensor and the second sensor;determine a leak discovery latency time, wherein the leak discovery latency time is a duration of a time interval between the time associated with the weather event and the earliest first time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor; anddetermine an axial location of a leaked fluid entry site on the outer layer based on the leak discovery latency time, the axial velocity of the leaked fluid, and the first axial location.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the instructions are to determine a duration of the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location or the second axial location, and wherein the duration is indicative of a leakage amount.

3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of sensors is to detect moisture.

4. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of sensors is to detect the leaked fluid in a liquid phase.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)315. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the conduit is a hot fluid transporting pipe, and wherein the leaked fluid moves along the axial dimension of the conduit.

6. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein a temperature of a hot fluid to be transported in the hot fluid transporting pipe is at least 60 degrees C.

7. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein each sensor is positioned at a bottom portion of the outer surface of the conduit.

8. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein each sensor includes a probe that extends through a respective sensor aperture defined in the outer layer, wherein a seal is disposed to prevent leaks at each respective sensor aperture.

9. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the local weather monitor includes at least one of an internet weather service, a local weather station, or a network connected rain sensor.

10. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the instructions are to determine whether data from a sensor contains an error based on data from adjacent sensors in the plurality of sensors.

11. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the memory is structured as at least one database.

12. A method of determining a location of a site of atmospheric moisture entry into a conduit, comprising:providing a plurality of sensors, each sensor in the plurality of sensors in electromagnetic communication with a processor, each sensor disposed on an outer surface of the conduit, at respective spaced axial locations along an axial dimension of the conduit, wherein the conduit includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and anAAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)32insulating layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein an outer surface of the outer layer is to be exposed to environmental precipitation, wherein each sensor is to detect a presence of a leaked fluid between the inner layer and the outer layer at the respective spaced axial locations along the axial dimension of the conduit;monitoring a local weather monitor in electromagnetic communication with the processor;monitoring a first sensor disposed at a first axial location on the outer surface, the first sensor to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location to the processor;monitoring a second sensor disposed at a second axial location on the outer surface, the second sensor to detect a presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location and transmit a signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location to the processor;recording, in a memory, sensor data records having fields including sensor identification data, global position coordinates and axial location data for each sensor in the plurality of sensors;recording, in the memory, sensed data records having fields including a first time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor, and a second time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the second axial location was received by the processor;recording, in the memory, a weather data record having fields including a weather event and a time associated with the weather event, wherein the local weather conditions expose the outer surface of the outer layer to a predetermined amount of the environmental precipitation during the weather event;determining an axial velocity for the leaked fluid between the first axial location and the second axial location based on a ratio of a difference between the first time and the second time to an axial distance between the first sensor and the second sensor;AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)33determining a leak discovery latency time, wherein the leak discovery latency time is a duration of a time interval between the time associated with the weather event and the first time at which the signal indicating the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location was received by the processor; anddetermining an axial location of a leaked fluid entry site on the outer layer based on the leak discovery latency time, the axial velocity of the leaked fluid, and the first axial location.

13. The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising determining a duration of the presence of the leaked fluid at the first axial location or the second axial location, wherein the duration is indicative of a leakage amount.

14. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of sensors is to detect moisture.

15. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of sensors is to detect the leaked fluid in a liquid phase.

16. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the conduit is a hot fluid transporting pipe, and wherein the leaked fluid moves along the axial dimension of the conduit.

17. The method as defined in claim 16 wherein a temperature of a hot fluid to be transported in the hot fluid transporting pipe is at least 60 degrees C.

18. The method as defined in claim 16 wherein each sensor is positioned at a bottom portion of the outer surface of the conduit.

19. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein each sensor includes a probe that extends through a respective sensor aperture defined in the outer layer, wherein a seal is disposed to prevent leaks at each respective sensor aperture.AAI-104-B-PCT (1202-W001)3420. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the local weather monitor includes at least one of an internet weather service, a local weather station, or a network connected rain sensor.

21. The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising determining whether data from a sensor contains an error based on data from adjacent sensors in the plurality of sensors.

22. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the memory is structured as at least one database.

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