Patent attributes
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of monitoring a fluid in a fluid carrying conduit comprising the steps of: monitoring a fluid characteristic at a first point and second point along the conduit substantially continuously; determining first and second quantities, being related to a differential with respect to time of the value of the fluid characteristic at the first and second points respectively; combining the first and second quantities to produce a two dimensional intensity function of time and a position variable and analyzing the magnitude of the intensity function to derive information relating to the fluid. The intensity function may represent a substantially continuous probability function, wherein its absolute value is related to the probability of a leak or theft having occurred in the conduit. Furthermore, a method of determining the presence and location of leaks in, or thefts from, the conduit by determining whether or not the magnitude of the intensity function satisfies pre-determined criteria is disclosed. A method of determining the speed of pressure waves propagating through a fluid flowing in a fluid carrying conduit by analyzing the two dimensional intensity function is also disclosed. An apparatus suitable for performing all of the above mentioned methods is also claimed.
