WHAT WE DO

We supply services to airports regarding specification of leak detection systems, supply of leak detection systems, installation of leak detection systems, testing of own and other systems

Method

The Energy Institute (EI) describes in “EI 1560: Recommended practice for the operation, inspection, maintenance and commissioning of aviation fuel hydrant systems and hydrant system extensions [dated February 2013]” the method as:

QUOTE:

Pressure Decay with Temperature Compensation method

This detection method is based on a mathematical model of the hydrant system and computerized calculation of the pressure decay with temperature compensation.

The method involves pressurizing via the main pump, followed by isolation of one or more sections and then by monitoring the pressure development over time in these sections.

The measured pressure is compared with the calculated pressure from the model.

Considerations for implementation:

The pressure measuring is applied using permanent pressure sensors (one sensor for each section).

The test duration is short (30 - 60 min).

The hydrant grid must be free from trapped vapour or this will give rise to misleading results.

Valves are required to be completely tight.

The need to install temperature instrumentation.

The system is designed to be operated from the hydrant control room by the operator, or by a computer program in the SCADA-system which takes care of opening and closing the BB-valves.

UNQUOTE

To this description, we can add that the software works with competing strategies based on a first principle approach as well as on statistical tactic. The overall method is extremely reliable and has been optimized over the years.

User-friendly

The API/EI/JIG guidelines specify that a leak detection system must be able to detect if there a leakage by a 60 minutes test.

At many airports, this is not a problem as the airports are closed for several hours during night time.

However, at other airports being open 24/7, shorter testing periods have been requested.

Consequently, the ROSYLEAK system has recently been modified and today a test period of only 10 minutes is standard.

The leak detection system allows for automatic closing of valves and testing of all sections in parallel.

This gives flexibility for the fuel farm operator as well as possibility for fast and frequent testing.

Cost-efficient

Block and bleed valves isolate each section and each section must be equipped with one pressure and one temperature transmitter.

In addition, ROSYLEAK needs one common soil temperature measurement for all sections.

It should be noted that apart from this common soil temperature measurement, the ROSYLEAK system does not require additional mechanical equipment such as that used by some competing systems that are based on the “Pressure step method”.

This simplicity gives the ROSYLEAK system a cost advantage when compared to such systems.