Method and Device to Detect Fluid Leakage in a Joint Between Two Pipe Sections

Abstract

A method is described to detect a fluid leakage in a joint area between two pipe sections (10, 12) that are joined together to provide a continuous fluid-carrying pipeline, where a casing-formed joint element (20) with an inwardly protruding flange part (28) is inserted between the pipe sections (10, 12), the ends of which lie against sealing elements (27a, 27b) at the oppositely directed flange surfaces, and a coupling body (60, 62) on each side of the joint element (20) forms an engagement with respective pipe circumference surfaces (17, 19) and is made to squeeze the pipe ends against each other via the joint element (20). The method is characterised in that a second sealing element (31a, 31b) that seals between the joint element (20), and the pipe section surfaces (17, 19) is set up at the pipe ends, and any fluid leakages past the two sealing systems (27, 31) are monitored in a fluid channel system (30, 32), in connection to the joint element (20), between the sealing systems (27, 31) and which is set up by a radially formed ring-formed hollow space (32a, 32b), outside respective sealing elements (27a, 27b) and defined between respective, oppositely directed flange surfaces (28) and the ends of the pipe sections (10, 12) where the hollow space is fluid connected with another channel system (30) via the joint element and connected to a pressure sensor (P, 52) that registers the pressure in the fluid channel system for alarms and the initiation of relevant actions. A device to carry out the method is also described.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.