Fault detection using PDE-based observer in transport flow

This paper deals with the state fault detection scheme for distribution flow networks subject to continuously varying conditions at boundaries. A robust PDE detection observer for transport flow systems is designed. Directly built on the nonlinear hyperbolic systems of balance laws model with anti-collocated setup, the PDE observer based on backstepping theory provide the on-line estimation of signals that are not measured. The stability of the error equation is proved. The estimation and the observability time are used for fault detection; an adaptive threshold is defined for the purpose. The performances of the observer and the fault detection method are validated on actual flow data collected from a real water distribution system (WDS) for leakage detection. The leak detection time corresponds to the first alarm activation, confirms the effectiveness of proposed approach. [Display omitted] •Robust persistent state fault detection PDE-based observer for transport flow systems is built.•The nonlinearity derives from a class of hyperbolic systems of balance laws is kept.•Backstepping boundary observer with anti-collocated setup is designed.•The online estimation of unmeasured signals and the observability time are used for fault detection.•An adaptive threshold based on disturbances bound, performance index and input signal is set.•Data are collected from a realwater distribution network.•The performances of the observer and the fault detection scheme are validated on actual flow data.