Patent ID: 6082182
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a leak in a pressurized pipeline system containing a liquid product by measuring the change in leakage flow rate, while compensating for thermally induced volume changes, comprising:(a) a storage container for storing product removed from or added to the pipeline system;(b) measurement apparatus for measuring the volume of product in the storage container;(c) a pressure management ladder system including(i) a undirectional pump with a pump input and a pump output;(ii) at least one pump bypass for connecting the pump output to the pump input, the pump bypass including a pressure release valve which opens when the output pressure of the pump output exceeds a selected test pressure level; and(iii) a liquid product connection for connecting the pump input to the storage container; and(d) connection apparatus for connecting the pump output to the pipeline system.