A novel pressure-based leakage assessment and characterisation method was applied to a range of bulk pipelines in the field to evaluate the practical application of the method. With this method, the testing equipment, which consists of a variable speed pump unit, a water tank and measuring equipment, all mounted on a trailer, was connected to a bulk pipe which could be isolated. Flow was then introduced and regulated to maintain a range of set pressures, resulting in a pressure-leakage characteristic of the pipe. The test data was then interpreted using the modified orifice equation or FAVAD (Fixed and Varying Areas Discharges) concept. Fifteen pipes were assessed of which most showed significant or excessive leakage. By characterising the leakage of these pipes, useful information was obtained on the most likely leak types, sizes and possible locations. It was demonstrated that this is an effective, simple, quick and cost-effective leakage assessment method.

一种新颖的基于压力的泄漏评估和表征方法被应用于现场的一系列散装管道，以评估该方法的实际应用。通过这种方法，将测试设备（包括变速泵单元，水箱和测量设备，都安装在拖车上）连接到可以隔离的散装管道上。然后引入并调节流量以维持一定范围的设定压力，从而导致管道的压力泄漏特性。然后，使用修正的孔口方程式或FAVAD（固定和变化面积排量）概念解释测试数据。评估了15条管道，其中大部分显示出明显或过度的泄漏。通过表征这些管道的泄漏情况，可以获得有关最可能的泄漏类型的有用信息，大小和可能的位置。事实证明，这是一种有效，简单，快速且具有成本效益的泄漏评估方法。