UWFBG array vibration sensing technology for gas pipeline leakage detection and location

Leak detection and localization in gas pipelines is a crucial issue in pipeline condition monitoring. With the widespread application of optical fiber sensing technology, improving the accuracy of pipeline leak detection and localization is an urgent and critical problem to solve. This paper explores the feasibility of using Ultra Weak Fiber Bragg Grating (UWFBG) array sensing technology in gas pipeline leak detection and localization. By laying a linear UWFBG array on a physical pipeline model, leakage signals are simulated and collected for analysis. Experimental and analytical results indicate that leakage vibrations amplify the natural frequencies of the pipeline around 11, 20, and 24 Hz. The detection algorithm proposed in this paper, which is based on the spectral Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) combined with wavelet transform main frequency stability, can effectively eliminate external interference frequency information (such as the 39 Hz frequency component caused by experimental platform interference) and accurately locate the amplified frequency component. This greatly reduces the False Positive Rate (FPR) in pipeline leak detection. Based on this, a leak determination and localization algorithm based on power spectral density is proposed. The advantage of this method is that it is not limited by the length of the pipeline, it can identify pipeline leaks with 100% accuracy, and the localization accuracy can reach one monitoring zone. •Pipeline leakage is monitored by Ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating (UWFBG) technology.•Experimental and analytical results indicate that leakage vibrations amplify the natural frequencies of the pipeline around 11, 20, and 24Hz.•CEEMDAN combined with wavelet transform main frequency stability, can effectively eliminate external interference frequency information. This greatly reduces the false alarm rate in pipeline leak detection.•Leak determination and localization algorithm based on power spectral density, The advantage of this method is that it is not limited by the length of the pipeline, it can identify pipeline leaks with 100% accuracy, and the localization accuracy can reach one monitoring zone.