Leak Warn For Leak Detection
Fast and accurate detection of leaks in pipelines and other facilities is a critical requirement for any operating company. Add the ability to effectively track products within the system and the result is a powerful, cost-effective solution for efficient operations management. LeakWarn, the integrity monitoring and product tracking solution from Simulutions, is designed to provide the operator with tools to accurately, quickly and reliably monitor overall system integrity. LeakWarn also provides the ability to manage the movement of product batches within the system.
LeakWarn is an application software product which operates in real time, in conjunction with the data acquisition system. Compensated mass balance software techniques are used by LeakWarn to calculate the difference between volumes entering and leaving each line segment. Changes in line pack characteristics are compensated for, ensuring accurate and reliable results, while minimizing the likelihood of false alarms. Using LeakWarn, the operator can quickly determine whether a leak actually exists, or if another event such as an instrumentation failure is responsible for the abnormal indication.
Field measurements collected by the data acquisition system are used by LeakWarn to record when new batches enter the system. The same information is used by LeakWarn to characterize the composition of the product, and to indicate the volumes received into, and delivered from, each product batch.
Information collected by the data acquisition system is displayed by LeakWarn using trends, hydraulic profiles, signature plots and imbalance histograms. These tools simplify the presentation of data to the operator, allowing him or her to quickly see the state of the operation. This in turn results in early identification of true leaks, and avoidance of false alarms.
Using compensated mass balancing techniques, LeakWarn computes changes in line pack using pressure and temperature data provided by the data acquisition system. Continual adjustments are made by LeakWarn for products with varying composition, temperature and density. LeakWarn also takes into account the effects of blending as products move through the pipeline system.
The ease of installation and maintenance of LeakWarn results in a significantly lower cost of ownership than other leak detection and batch tracking products. LeakWarn also offers significant performance gains over systems that do not adequately account for product compressibility during transient conditions. This has been demonstrated using the American Petroleum Institute's (API) Software Based Leak Detection Methodology Evaluation. This methodology effectively ensures that products deliver the capabilities promised.
In addition to providing warning of potential and actual leak conditions, LeakWarn also supports the tracking of product batches. Based on information provided by the data acquisition system, LeakWarn will accurately calculate the batch position and the estimated time of arrival, taking into account changes in the line pack.
Information from batch interface detectors, if available, is also used by LeakWarn to dynamically correct batch position and arrival time while preserving measured volumes. Receipt and delivery volumes for each batch are maintained for each meter. Over or short volume indications are produced upon final delivery. Manual adjustment of all batch information is also supported by LeakWarn.
Scraper tracking is also provided by LeakWarn, using the same approach as that used for batch tracking. LeakWarn application software can run on the same host computer as the data acquisition software. Alternatively, a separate workstation running UNIX or OpenVMS, or a Windows or Windows-NT PC, can be used, connected to the data acquisition host over a LAN interface.
Whether you are considering a new integrated facility management solution, or looking to upgrade an existing system, LeakWarn represents a powerful addition to the arsenal of tools available to the operations manager for cost-effective, secure operation.
Simulutions, #860, 815 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3P2. Tel: 403-266-2922; Fax: 403-266-2620.