Case Studies
Water Pipeline Leak Detection
Sensornet Water Pipeline Leak Detection
This test was carried out in Q2 2006 for the Korean National Gas authority in conjunction with Sensornet’s Korean partner company SOAM Consultants Co. The aim of this project was to detect leaks in a water pipeline using the Sentinel DTS. The setup of the system was as shown in the following two images:
Summary of test procedure
- A Sensornet Sentinel DTS system was used to monitor the temperature thermal response of the system due to water leakage from a pipeline.
- A section of pipeline with fibre optic cable installed in close proximity to the pipeline was buried underground. The pipeline contained valves to enable simulation of a leak event – by opening the valve a water leakage could be created.
- The fibre optic cable was installed as close together as possible to the pipeline to accurately detect a result, using a frame to tie the cable to for easy installation.
The installation procedure is shown in the following diagrams:
Installation procedure for monitoring water pipeline leakage with DTS system
Temperature change of the water pipeline under its leakage along with time pass at vertical view
Temperature change of the water pipeline under its leakage along with time pass at transverse section view
Conclusion
The Sentinel DTS effectively detects leaks using only very small temperature changes occurring due to water leakage causing a temperature drop (of approximately 2°C) in the surrounding
environment (an area 40cm x 40cm) of over a period of approximately 30 minutes.
Please contact a Sensornet representative or SOAM Consultants Co. Ltd for more information.
« Back to Case Studies
