Online implementation of a leak isolation algorithm in a plastic pipeline prototype

In this paper, a real-time applica- tion of a Leak Detection and Isolation (LDI) al- gorithm for a plastic pipeline is presented. This LDI algorithm is fed with flow and pressure sig- nals coming from sensors placed at the ends of the pipeline. It uses a flow observer based on a model obtained from the Method of Charac- teristics, and it is designed in order to assure an acceptable real-time leak isolation by taking into account various practical difficulties. In particular it incorporates an adaptation law for the friction coefficient in order to compensate for possible variations. The whole scheme is successfully tested on a plastic pipeline proto- type, transporting water and built as a possible benchmark.