2-D graph of ground temperatures along a vertical section parallel to a district heating pipeline. The temperature measurements were performed at 0.75m distance from the pipeline. The leak (red) is clearly visible. As reflected in the graph the temperature disturbances are barely reaching the ground level and spreading mainly into the depth. A standard thermo graphic method was not able to reveal the leak.

For the operation of district heating networks it is important to recognize the onset of leaks on time and to locate the positions of these leaks exactly with a justifiable effort. The failure to do so might, due to the leaking water, endanger the continuity of the services or might lead to consequential damages in the heating systems. Due to permanent losses of hot and refined water in the district heating pipelines, as well as due to the increased heat losses in the wetted section along the pipeline the operational costs of the district heating supply are increasing.

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     - Temperature Sounding Method (TSM1.pdf, 307kb)