Test of measurement device for the estimation of leakage flow rate in pneumatic pipeline systems

Abstract

Background: Indirect measurements of flow rate serve to determine air consumption, leakage values and characteristics of compressed air systems (CASs). Method: A new method of indirect flow rate measurement in a pneumatic pipeline system was developed. The method enables to measure the controlled leakage in a branch line and was used to construct automatic measuring systems auditing the compressed air systems piping. Results: First, the leak-testing instrument LT-I 200 was designed, constructed, and tested as portable measurement device for the estimation of air leakage flow rate in pneumatic pipeline system. Next, based on the authors’ patent, the automatic measuring system for the measurement of the leakage flow rate in industrial compressed air piping was developed. Conclusion: The measurement device was used to estimate of the leakage flow rate and cost of the energy losses in the compressed air piping system.