Line break detecting method for pressurized fluid pumping systems

Abstract

A method of detecting a break in a transfer line transporting a fluid product between a first vessel and a second vessel includes sensing a current pressure of fluid product associated with the transfer line. A highest sensed pressure of the fluid product is continually tracked, and a trip pressure is defined. The trip pressure increases to new multiple value(s) at any or many of a possible multiple number of times when the highest sensed pressure increases. The method further includes detecting when the current sensed pressure drops below the trip pressure to detect a break in the transfer line, via use of a pressure sensor in or in fluid communication with the transfer line. A method of automatically shutting off transfer of fluid product between a first vessel and a second vessel includes a step for shutting off the transfer of fluid product between the first vessel and the second vessel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.