Method and system for predicting leak hole size in a pipeline or pressure vessel and flow rate from a leak hole

A method for predicting leak hole size or flowrate from the leak hole in a pipeline or pressure vessel comprising:

• determining, by a processor, one or more groups of independent variables related to pipeline operation;
• generating a model configured to produce one or more groups of dimensionless numbers, wherein the model is generated in a multi-pronged approach comprising:
• a) performing by the processor a Buckingham Pi analysis of one or more independent variables to determine one or more most relevant independent variables,
• b) developing, by the processor, a model to determine from the one or more relevant independent variables, one or more groups of dimensionless numbers,
• c) executing, by the processor, a plurality of functional forms on the one or more groups of dimensionless numbers and using real-world pipeline leak data as an in input;
• and
• d) predicting, by the processor, at least one of a leak hole size and velocity of fluid flowing from the leak hole by a direct solver set of equations and an inverse solver set of equations, based on the model and the one or more groups of dimensionless numbers.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions, that when read by a processor, cause the processor to perform:

• determining, by a processor, one or more independent variables related to pipeline operation;
• performing, by the processor, a Buckingham Pi analysis of the one or more independent variables to determine one or more most relevant independent variables;
• developing, by the processor, a model to determine from the one or more relevant independent variables, one or more groups of dimensionless numbers,
• executing, by the processor, a plurality of functional forms incorporating the one or more groups of dimensionless numbers and using real-world pipeline leak data as an in input;
• and
• predicting, by the processor, at least one of a leak hole size for the case of known leak flow rate or a velocity of fluid or flow rate flowing from a known leak hole.