Single-Point Dual Sensor Leakage Positioning for Gas-Liquid Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic methods for leakage positioning in pipelines require sensors to be installed at both ends, making them unsuitable for gas-liquid stratified flow pipelines and increasing installation costs, while existing methods do not account for acoustic velocity uncertainty in mixed-phase flows.
Innovation Solution
A single-point dual sensor-based method that collects and calculates the propagation time difference between acoustic waves in gas and liquid phases at a single point, using the formula x = (c1*c2)/(c1-c2)*Δt to position leaks, where c1 and c2 are the acoustic velocities in the gas and liquid media, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are installed at two ends of the pipeline, then leakage positioning can be performed using conventional acoustic methods, but installation cost increases and the method becomes unsuitable for gas-liquid stratified flow pipelines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two sensing functions (gas phase acoustic detection and liquid phase acoustic detection) into a single sensor installation point. The sensor system integrates multiple sensing capabilities to detect acoustic waves from both gas and liquid phases simultaneously at one location, eliminating the need for separate sensor installations at pipeline ends while maintaining leakage positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a spatial distribution approach (sensors at two ends) to a temporal differentiation approach (detecting different phase acoustic waves at the same point). By utilizing the dimensional difference between gas phase and liquid phase acoustic wave propagation characteristics, the system achieves positioning capability without requiring spatial separation of sensors.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are installed at two ends of the pipeline, then acoustic time difference can be calculated for positioning, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple sensors into a single sensor installation. The unified sensor system performs both gas phase acoustic wave detection and liquid phase acoustic wave detection at the same location, reducing the total number of sensors from two (at each end) to one while maintaining the capability to calculate acoustic time difference for precise leakage positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase identification as an intermediary mechanism that enables a single sensor to differentiate between gas phase acoustic waves and liquid phase acoustic waves. This intermediary function allows the system to process acoustic signals from both phases through one sensor, achieving the same measurement precision as dual-end installation would provide.
3Measurement precision
If conventional acoustic methods are used for gas-liquid stratified flow pipelines, then positioning can be performed, but acoustic velocity uncertainty prevents accurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic wave detection process into two distinct phases: gas phase acoustic wave detection and liquid phase acoustic wave detection. By separating the detection of acoustic waves from different phases, the system can apply phase-appropriate acoustic velocity parameters to each, eliminating the velocity uncertainty that would result from attempting to use a single velocity value for mixed-phase flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different acoustic velocity characteristics to different phases locally. Gas phase acoustic waves are analyzed using gas phase acoustic velocity, while liquid phase acoustic waves are analyzed using liquid phase acoustic velocity. This local quality approach ensures that each phase's acoustic properties are accurately represented, enabling precise leakage positioning in gas-liquid stratified flow conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective leakage positioning in gas-liquid stratified flow pipelines by simplifying sensor installation and accounting for mixed-phase acoustic velocities, improving the feasibility and applicability of acoustic methods.
Implementation Method 1
collecting an acoustic wave propagated by liquid and an acoustic wave propagated by gas at the same point of one end of a pipeline to be detected
Implementation Method 2
calculating a propagation time difference between the two acoustic waves
Data Source
AI summary
A single-point dual sensor-based leakage method and system for a gas-liquid stratified flow pipeline includes a single-point dual sensor-based leakage formula for a pipeline to be detected; installing two sensors at the same point of one end of the pipeline, a signal collected by the bottom sensor being an acoustic wave propagated by liquid in the pipeline, and a signal collected by the top sensor being an acoustic wave propagated by gas in the pipeline; processing the two acoustic waves to obtain a time difference; and substituting the acoustic velocity in a gas and the time difference into the single-point dual sensor-based leakage formula. The installation of sensors at two ends of a pipeline, avoids missing detection of leakage acoustic wave signals by a single sensor, reduces the number of installed sensors, and is low in cost, high in safety and strong in applicability to a gas-liquid stratified flow pipeline.