All kinds of machine tools and plants such as marine vessels, airplanes, vehicles, power stations, and chemical factories incorporate hydraulic and fluid machinery, including fluid pressure vessels, heat exchangers, compressors, and pumps using many pipelines. If abnormal pressure, corrosion, or other damage causes fluid to leak from just one part of these components, the entire machine system usually stops, and restoration of normal functions for whole plants becomes very difficult.
Not only do such accidental fluid leaks in machinery and plants cause machine systems to function poorly or stop working entirely, but they can also start fires or explosions that cause immeasurable damage to company activities and society. For example, radiation leaking from a nuclear reactor or oil leaking from a tanker can directly cause air pollution and health problems, and can secondarily damage fishing grounds, agriculture, and even sightseeing. Depending on the situation, such accidents may also raise international diplomatic problems. We therefore need early detection and treatment of fluid leaks. By logical extension, we also need high reliability in the detection technologies for these plants and fluid machinery.
This article outlines, explores, and considers the roles, classification, principles of detection, construction, characteristics, and related aspects of systems for detecting abnormalities and fluid leaks in machinery and plants.
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