Reconfigurable model for multi-leak location in a pipeline

A novel approach is presented for leaks detection and isolation in pipelines via the use of updating residual generators. To overcome the isolability problem for 2 leaks when only 2 sensors are used, the approach assumes a fluid model discretized in 3 sections in which their divisions depend on the unknown leaks positions and they can be only identified when leaks are present. The key of the isolation scheme is the search of the positions z₁ and z₂ from a value set which satisfies physical constraints and at the same time minimized the residual gain with respect to (z₁, z₂). Simulation examples with one and two leaks show the effectiveness of the leak diagnosis method.