Smart Leak Detection Pipes - 27657

本项目将为现有及新水管开发一套易于安装的检漏系统。基于位于管道外部的自包含传感器节点，系统将检测压力和振动的变化，以指示泄漏的形成及其发生时的位置。该系统的创新之处包括从管道外部监测内部状况，使用以前没有使用过的传感器，因为它们需要电源，现在将由一种新型放射性同位素电池提供，这种电池可以持续管道本身的使用寿命。这些特点共同开发了一个低成本，易于安装的系统，将持续管道的使用寿命。这将允许这些传感器沿着管道的长度安装，以便可以实时监控所有配水管道，消除位置错误和由于泄漏流量需要增长到可以在区域流量计上识别的大小而导致的当前识别泄漏的延迟。OFWAT估计，2010年英国每天因管道泄漏损失3281毫升水。据估计，全世界每年损失320亿立方米（世界银行，2006年）。这些水从“蓝水循环”中流失。并非所有的泄漏都是可见的，不可见的泄漏最初是通过监测流入离散区域的流量或通过缓慢而耗时的管道长度调查来确定的。这意味着直到泄漏变得足够大时才会被发现，而这段“意识时间”可能长达数周甚至数月，并导致大量的水在此之前流失。虽然这个时间可能会有所不同，但通常被认为比查明和修复泄漏所花费的时间要长得多。消除延迟将大大减少水的损失-仅在这个国家就超过1000毫升/天（仅Severn Trent water， STW就拥有约1/8的网络，每天约450毫升）。因此，在全球范围内，该方法有可能节省远远超过所需的1000毫升/天。泄漏会对社会产生巨大影响。在许多发展中国家，这往往是供水断断续续或无法让更多的人接入供水管网的主要原因。水已经过处理，并以大量的嵌入式能源泵送；因此，减少泄漏也减少了能源浪费。泄漏控制是水务公司的一项主要活动，无论是在英国，这是一项监管要求，还是在世界各地。全世界都需要新的方法来识别泄漏，减少识别和定位泄漏所花费的时间。由于塑料管道对当前泄漏检测技术的响应较差，因此特别需要管理塑料管道泄漏的系统。该合作项目由Watershed Associates的Jo Parker领导，她在泄漏控制方面有多年的经验，并管理了技术战略委员会的VISTA项目，并成功完成了苏格兰的研究成果。它包括代表最终用户的两家英国水务公司，共供应英国25%的人口；STW和联合公用事业（UU）。伯明翰大学（UoB）将在一家专门开发泄漏管理电子系统的中小企业GCR Tech的支持下领导研究发展。它还包括一家公用事业承包商莫里森公用事业服务公司（MUS），该公司将开发快速、低成本的安装技术。因此，该联盟可以开发产品，并通过英国和世界范围内专门从事泄漏管理的专业网络进行营销。

This project will develop an easy to install leak detection system for existing and new water pipes. Based on self-containedsensor nodes located on the outside of the pipe the system will detect changes in pressure and vibration to indicate theformation of leaks and their location as they occur. The innovative features of the system include the fact that internalconditions are monitored from the outside of the pipe using sensors not used before due to their need for a power source,which now will be supplied by a novel radioisotopic battery lasting the lifetime of the pipes themselves. These featurestogether develop a low cost, easy to install system which will last the lifetime of the pipes. This will allow these sensors tobe installed along the lengths of pipes such that all water distribution pipes can be monitored in real time, eliminatinglocation errors & the current delay in identifying leaks due to the need for the leak flow to grow to a size where it can beidentified on a district flow meter.OFWAT estimated water losses of 3281 Ml/day in the UK in 2010 through leaking pipes. It is estimated that 32 billion cubicmetres are lost every year worldwide (World Bank 2006). This water is lost from the 'blue water cycle'. Not all leaks arevisible and the non visible leaks are initially identified through monitoring flows into discrete areas or via slow and timeconsuming surveys along the lengths of pipes. This means that leaks are not identified until they have grown to sufficientsize and this 'awareness time' can amount to several weeks or even months and lead to a large amount of water being lostbefore then. Whilst this time can vary, it is generally seen as considerably longer than the time taken to pinpoint and repairleaks. Eliminating the delay will substantially reduce the water lost - in this country alone by over 1000 Ml/d (~450 Ml/dayfor Severn Trent Water, STW, alone, who own ~1/8th of the network). Thus, on a worldwide basis the approach has thepotential to save considerably more than the required 1000 Ml/d. Leakage can have dramatic effects on society. In manydeveloping countries it is frequently the principal cause of intermittant supplies or the inability to connect more people to the pipes water network. The water has been treated and pumped with substantial embedded energy; therefore reducingleakage also reduces energy wastage.Leakage control is a major activity for water utilities in both the UK, where it is a regulatory requirement, and throughout theworld. New methods of identifying leaks which reduce the time taken to identify and locate leaks are needed worldwide.There is a particular need for systems to manage leakage on plastic pipes due to their poor response to current leakagedetection techniques. This collaborative project is led by Jo Parker of Watershed Associates, who has many yearsexperience in leakage control and who managed the Technology Strategy Board's VISTA project to successful completionexemplified by the take up of the research outcomes in Scotland. It includes 2 UK water companies representing the enduser and together supplying 25% of the UK population; STW and United Utilities (UU). The University of Birmingham (UoB)will lead the research development supported by an SME specialising in developing electronic systems for themanagement of leakage, GCR Tech. It also includes a utility contractor, Morrison Utility Services, (MUS) which will developa fast, low cost installation technology. Thus, the consortium can develop the product and market it through theprofessional networks specialising in leakage management in the UK and worldwide.