District heating leakage measurement: Development of methods

Abstract A2A Calore e Servizi carries out maintenance programs; one of the main activities is leak detection performed according to different procedures. The first method was based on pressure measurements and then it has evolved in a direct measurement of water loss. A new method has been tested; fixed metering devices have been installed. According to the law of mass conservation, the mass difference is a calculation of the water lost in the area. This procedure allows reliable continuous leak measurements, simplifying operational activities and giving immediate results on field.