A new technique for modal acoustic emission pipeline leak location with one sensor

Due to the multi-mode and dispersion characteristics of acoustic wave propagation in a pipeline, traditional cross-correlation techniques do not perform well for acoustic leak location. Based on the theory of modal acoustic emission (MAE), a technique of MAE pipeline leak location with one sensor is proposed. With the dispersion characteristics of guided wave propagation in pipe, two modes in the acoustic leak signal are isolated. Using the two modes isolated from one sensor, a leak location model is proposed. Leak location experiments have proved the validity of the one sensor MAE pipeline leak location technique.