Computational linear dynamics for sensor deployments toward leakage detection in offshore pipelines

In this work, we discuss the leakage detection problem arising in offshore pipeline transport which is much more challenging than that in ground fluid transport systems due to the lack of measurements along the pipelines. We consider the linear dynamics using the transmission line model, then we compare the frequency responses of the transfer functions obtained via both finite difference method and PDE Laplace transform. The simulation result shows the effectiveness of the finite dimensional models which can approximate the original linearized model accurately in low frequencies. Due to the scarcity of sensors in the SCADA (the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems of offshore pipelines, we propose a novel integrated drifting sensor solution for this type of detection problem and make a brief introduction of the data assimilation framework.