Water Leak Detection Range of techniques we use to locate leaks

Our trained staff uses a number of techniques for water leak detection on buried
pipes which can be applied to suit the individual circumstances of clients
properties.

The three main techniques we use for water leak detection involve using ground
microphones, tracer gasses, and leak correlators.

Ground microphones
Ground microphones allow us to amplify, trace and display the noise created by
a fluid escaping from a pipe. We also use ground microphones to trace the line
of a pipe. This is done by inducing a sound wave along the pipe which can be
measured at ground level thus allowing us to follow and plot its route.

Tracer gas

A tracer gas containing 95% Nitrogen and 5% Hydrogen can be injected into the
pipe. This mix of tracer gas is used mainly because hydrogen is the smallest
molecule on the planet and therefore permeates through surfaces quickly. It is
also non-toxic, non-corrosive, pro-environmental and the gas mixture is
approved as a foodstuffs additive so can be used safely in all environments. The
tracer gas escapes through any hole in the pipes wall and permeates through
whatever layer of surrounding soil, tarmac, concrete slab or paving is above it
allowing us to measure its quantity at the surface and pinpoint the leak.

Leak correlators
Leak correlators identify the acoustic frequency made by water escaping from a
pipe. The correlator uses two sensors over the length of a pipe which calculate
the leaks location by comparing the signal delay, the sensors distance apart and
the sound velocity.

Thermal Imaging
Thermography allows us to quickly locate buried heating pipes and actually see
areas of pooled heat, dampness and suspected leak locations.

These techniques for water leak detection can be combined or used in isolation
depending on what is constructed over the service or how deep the service lies.

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Utility Mapping
We use several techniques to locate services from basic CAT & Genny through
to Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Our equipment allows us to accurately
locate buried services including non ferrous pipes and ducting. We can simply
mark these at ground level or provide full mapping services and issue drawings
in most for

Research Article
Leak detection in pipeline networks using low-profile piezoceramic
transducers
M. Taghvaei, S. B. M. Beck *, W. J. Staszewski
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K.
email: S. B. M. Beck (s.beck@sheffield.ac.uk)
*
Correspondence to S. B. M. Beck, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin
Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K.

Funded by:
Yorkshire Water PLC

KEYWORDS
pipeline networks leak detection pressure waves piezoceramic transducers wavelets analysis
cepstrum
ABSTRACT
Detecting leaks in pipeline networks such as water distribution systems is an important, yet difficult task.
Various techniques have been developed for leak detection, but so far none has provided a suitable solution
for industrial applications, as they have low performance or high cost.
An experimental method based on pressure measurements has previously been developed to identify leaks
which involve first removing the noise with orthogonal wavelets and then applying spectrum analysis to
identify features in the physical network. This previous work has shown that this approach is capable of both
locating the position and estimating the severity of leaks in pipeline networks.
This study involves an experiment with a simple fluid filled pipeline network. A solenoid valve is used to
introduce a pressure wave into the network. By periodically opening and closing the valve the wave
propagates in the fluid. This pressure wave is then sensed by a low-profile piezoceramic transducer. A
conventional pressure transducer is also used for comparative studies. The experiment is performed for
different pipe lengths and severities of leakage.
This work shows that while the piezoceramic transducer is poor at recording accurate pressure histories, it is
perfectly acceptable for this type of condition monitoring, being able to identify the position and severity of
leaks and other features in the pipeline network. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Received: 3 July 2006; Accepted: 20 August 2006

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)

Abstract. To evaluate the potential of ground-penetrating radar for leak detection of

water pipes, well-controlled experiments allowing flexibility of the involved parameters
are necessary. To accomplish this purpose, a laboratory scaled-down model of the radar
under leak conditions is proposed here. The laboratory system consisted of a dry sand
tank, a pipe and a simulated zone of leakage adjacent to the pipe. The size and burial
depth of the pipe were scaled down to about 1/6 of the real world condition. An
equivalent leakage model was employed using an acrylic plastic box filled with
methanol. A support for the model was provided by acrylic plastic plates and tubes with
dry sand filling. The electrical properties of the equivalent leakage and support were
verified by measuring their complex permittivities. B-scan radar images were displayed
by background removal and neighboring difference of raw data. For three cases of leaky
pipes, the images showed the superimposition of nearly symmetric and inverted
hyperbolas produced by non-leaky pipes and the blurring effects caused by the leakage.
Thereafter, diffraction tomography was also applied to B-scan images to improve
resolution of the pipe and leakage zone.

Leak Location
Waterlink provides water leak detection and location services throughout the UK
for commercial and industrial customers.

Waterlink is able to undertake water leak detection and location (i.e. non-visible,
below ground losses) using water industry standard practice including pipe
tracing, step testing, transfer testing, top sounding and real time multi-point
correlation.

This activity is undertaken using only Water Company trained and employed
personnel.

Pipe tracing is undertaken using Radiodetection RD500, Kat and Genny and
flexitrace locators. These use a variety of techniques to detect and map
underground pipework, in particular the generation of a radio signal that is
transmitted through the pipework which is then picked up by the detector
enabling a very accurate identification of the location of underground asset.
Pipework buried at depths of up to 3 meters can be detected using these
methods.

Step testing involves the isolation of discrete zones, then the monitoring of the
variation of consumption within these thus enabling the particular zone(s) with
the leak to be identified and isolated.

Transfer testing through the revision of supply arrangements, changing zonal

areas in conjunction with step testing. This activity aids the process of leak
location by positional iteration. This is particularly useful where the zones cannot
be easily separated.

Top sounding standard industry techniques

using sounding and listening equipment. This
ranges from the simplest technique that involves
the use of a sounding stick pressed to the
engineers ear through to more sophisticated
electronic detection systems using both noise and
heat.

Correlation Primayer eureka, Radcom

soundsens and Spectroscan aquacor. Each device
has specific abilities and applications with site
conditions, infrastructure and location determining
the appropriateness of use.
Large Diameter Leak Detection
Until recently, leak detection on large diameter water
transmission mains was not effective as an asset
management tool or in risk assessment. Recent
technological breakthroughs in acoustics and the methods
used to record and analyze sound waves have resulted in
the development of a new leak correlator specifically
designed for use on large diameter pipes, the LeakFinderRT
Correlator. Breaks in these transmission mains can cause
considerable damage to surrounding property, potential loss
of life, and be costly to repair. A routine leak detection
program for large diameter water mains is now possible. Within budget constraints, this program
will enhance the reliability of asset management and risk assessment of transmission main data.

Through an exclusive partnership, ADS now provides state-of-the-art large pipe leak detection
services in the United States, using the Echologics LeakFinderRT Large Diameter Pipe
Correlator. Unlike other large diameter pipe assessment methods, our services are non-intrusive
to the pipe and eliminate the risk of water contamination. ADS accesses the water in the pipe
section through fire hydrants, blow-offs, or taps. Special appurtenances and trenches are not
needed and pipe can be surveyed around bends and turns in distances reaching one mile in open
setup. We have successfully located leaks in 36-inch concrete water mains at a distance of 3,600
feet. We use specially designed piezo electric hydrophones and low frequency sensors for leak
detection on concrete, PCCP, RCCP, PVC and all non-ferrous pipe.

Other technologies exist to perform leak detection in large diameter transmission mains but the
LeakFinderRT Large Diameter system is different in that it is non-intrusive and uses advanced
signal conditioning and enhanced cross-correlation techniques to locate leakage on large
diameter piping. The technology breakthroughs have allowed successful detection of leaks at
distances unheard of using standard leak correlators.

In a recent project with the Chicago Water Department, ADS was called out to locate a leak that
was causing water to enter the basement of a school. The client had tried their own traditional
leak correlators without success. ADS deployed our team with this new Large Diameter
LeakFinderRT system, and after checking two 8-inch ductile iron mains for leaks, setup on a 36-
inch concrete main with a distance of 830 feet between hydra-phones. After applying the
advanced filtering techniques of this new correlator ADS successfully identified the location of the
leak within inches. ADS demonstrated the unique capabilities of this instrument to the same client
by simulating a 5 gal/min leak using a fire hydrant and successfully identified this induced leak at
a distance of 3,600 feet.