Analysis of Influence of Leakage in a Branch Pipeline on Pipeline Network Running Characteristics

In this paper, a simplified transient flow model of branch-like pipeline network is built. Through this model, the analytical solutions of the model with given pressure boundary conditions are obtained and the mass flow in branch pipeline point are calculated. Also, the influence of simulated leakage in branch pipeline on pipeline network running characteristics is analyzed. Finally, the results indicate that the influence of small leakage on the pressure of endpoints of both main pipeline and branch pipeline is small, the influence of gross leakage on the pressure of endpoints of main pipeline is also small but such influence is obvious towards branch pipeline. The pressure change of the position that is near the connection-point between the main and branch pipeline can be determined by the pressure gauge of which measurement accuracy can reach 0.1%.