Monitoring fluid flow in a conduit

Abstract

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of monitoring a fluid in a fluid carrying conduit comprising the steps of: monitoring a fluid characteristic at a first point and second point along the conduit substantially continuously, determining first and second quantities, being related to a differential with respect to time of the value of the fluid characteristic at the first and second points respectively, combining the first and second quantities to produce a two dimensional intensity function of time and a position variable and analysing the magnitude of the intensity function to derive information relating to the fluid. The intensity function may represent a substantially continuous probability function, wherein its absolute value is related to the probability of a leak or theft having occurred in the conduit. Furthermore, a method of determining the presence and location of leaks in, or thefts from, the conduit by determining whether or not the magnitude of the intensity function satisfies pre-determined criteria is disclosed. A method of determining the speed of pressure waves propagating through a fluid flowing in a fluid carrying conduit by analysing the two dimensional intensity function is also disclosed. An apparatus suitable for performing all of the above mentioned methods is also claimed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.