Leak detection in an experimental heat exchanger process: a multiple model approach

Author

Loparo, Kenneth A. ; Buchner, Marc R. ; Vasudeva, Karan S.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Syst. Eng., Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH, USA

Volume

36

Issue

2

fYear

1991

fDate

2/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

167

Lastpage

177

Abstract

An application of a multiple model nonlinear filtering technique is discussed for the detection of leaks in a heat-exchanger process. The results of simulation study and an experimental study on a laboratory heat-exchanger process are presented. A simple decision logic scheme (threshold crossing) is used to process the outputs of the leak-detection algorithm to indicate the status of the process, i.e. whether or not there is a leak. The results of the study provide preliminary indication of the feasibility of the proposed diagnostic technique to detect small leaks in an experimental heat-exchanger process. The study also indicates that the technique is robust in the midst of significant flow disturbances on the inlet water flow, using only simple models for processing of the outlet temperature data, but is sensitive to the aggregate heat transfer parameter used in the detection algorithm

Keywords

distributed control; filtering and prediction theory; flow control; heat exchangers; leak detection; state estimation; decision logic scheme; diagnostic technique; experimental study; flow disturbances; heat transfer parameter; heat-exchanger process; inlet water flow; leak-detection algorithm; multiple model nonlinear filtering technique; simulation study; Aggregates; Detection algorithms; Filtering; Heat transfer; Laboratories; Leak detection; Logic; Robustness; Temperature sensors; Water heating;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Automatic Control, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9286

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/9.67292

Filename

67292