Detection of Pipeline Leaks Using Fractal Analysis of Acoustic Signals

In this paper, the possibility of using monofractal and multifractal analysis of acoustic signals of pipelines to detect leaks is considered. An experimental stand has been created to study the fractal characteristics of acoustic signals of pipelines with “slit” type defects. During the experiments, defects of the “slit” type pipeline with dimensions of 2 mm, 8 mm, and 20 mm were modeled. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) were used. As a result of the experimental studies, it was found that the occurrence of leakage leads to the occurrence of anticorrelated vibrations in a pipeline with multifractal properties. The analyses of acoustic signals by DFA and MF-DFA methods make it possible to reliably determine the leakage. The Hurst exponent and the width of the multifractal spectrum can serve as indicators of the occurrence of leaks in pipelines.