APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ON-LINE DETECTION OF LEAKY VALVE SEALS AND DEFECTIVE FLOW DIVERTERS

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valve seals wherein the apparatus includes an isolation valve having at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream seal, a fluid flow diverter; an inner cavity isolated from a fluid flow path by the seals; a vent port disposed in fluid communication with the inner cavity; a vent valve disposed in fluid communication with the vent port; and a differential pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with both the vent port and the fluid flow path. Also disclosed is a method of on-line detection of leaky valve seals wherein the method includes disposing at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream seal, a fluid flow path, and a fluid flow diverter in mutual fluid communication; isolating an inner cavity from the fluid flow path by means of the seals; disposing a vent port in fluid communication with the inner cavity; disposing a vent valve in fluid communication with the vent port; and disposing a differential pressure sensor in fluid communication with both the vent port and the fluid flow path. The method can also be used to detect the presence of a defective fluid flow diverter while an associated fluid transport system remains on-line.