EKF-based leak diagnosis schemes for pipeline networks

International audienceThis work proposes a two-step-based methodology to identify leak parameters inpipeline networks. Since complex networks consist of series and branching junctions, those twobasic structures are here studied. The method relies on the availability of pressure head andflow rate measurements at the inlet as well as at all delivery points of the network for each case.As a first step the region where the leak occurs is identified on the basis of a residual analysis offlow rate which is generated between a faulty system and a nominal model. In a second step, theleak parameters are identified via the use of so-called extended Kalman filters by relying on anobservability property fulfilled for both configurations. It should be mentioned that although theproblem could be solved without the first step, this two-step approach simplifies the observerdesign, avoiding the need to sweep all possible branch positions of the leak. As illustrativeexamples, cases of both configurations are provided via simulation