An improved method of soil-gas sampling for pipeline leak detection: Flow model analysis and laboratory test

A flow model is presented in this short communication to design a horizontal sampling method of soil-gas for pipeline leak detection. The soil-gas flow model is verified by air-extraction tests. A laboratory method is also designed in this short communication to evaluate the effective detection radius of organic volatile compounds (VOCs) using the horizontal sampling method. Results of laboratory tests demonstrate that the effective detection radius using the horizontal sampling method for pipeline leak detection is at least 30 m and 20 m for gasoline and diesel, respectively.