SBIR Phase I: Wireless Leakage Monitoring System for Electrofusion Joints

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是大幅减少高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）管道的泄漏。HDPE是一种通常用于水、油和气体分配管道系统的塑料。由于管道泄漏，美国每天损失数十亿加仑的处理水，导致巨大的收入损失，环境和财产损失以及能源浪费。此外，每年有数百万公吨的甲烷，一种强大的温室气体，通过泄漏的管道逃逸到大气中。大多数泄漏发生在管道接头处，作为智能基础设施网络的一部分，通过无线监控每个接头的泄漏，可以实现重大泄漏的减少。该项目的商业影响是广泛的，因为智能基础设施网络越来越多地被实施和扩展，传感器和无线通信技术近年来取得了显着进步，管道基础设施安装，更换，该项目旨在展示一种能够检测电融合接头泄漏的原型，将泄漏传送到外部网络。这种联合监测系统是非常理想的，因为管道泄漏可能在很长一段时间内未被检测到。此外，一旦发现泄漏，定位可能是困难和昂贵的，特别是因为管道通常埋在地下或位于难以到达或偏远的位置。随之而来的挑战是为传感单元提供可靠的本地电源，可以待机长达50年。第二个挑战是生成由本地电源供电的信号，该信号可以被传输到地面并向外部信号接收器通知泄漏。为此，将开发一种与射频识别（RFID）发射器相结合的水激活电池。RFID技术由于其低成本和良好的可靠性而广泛应用于广泛的行业。因此，该技术是提供可负担得起的联合泄漏检测系统的优秀候选者。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a substantial reduction of leakage in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. HDPE is a type of plastic commonly used for water, oil, and gas distribution pipe systems. Billions of gallons of treated water are lost daily across the US due to leaking pipes, resulting in massive revenue loss, environmental and property damage, and energy waste. Furthermore, millions of metric tons of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, escape every year into the atmosphere through leaking pipes. Most leaks occur at pipe joints and by wirelessly monitoring each joint for leaks, as a part of a smart infrastructure network, major leak reduction can be achieved. The commercial impact of the project is extensive, as smart infrastructure networks are increasingly being implemented and expanded, sensor and wireless communication technology has advanced significantly in recent years, and the rate of piping infrastructure installations, replacements, and repairs are accelerating across the US and globally.The proposed project aims to demonstrate a prototype capable of detecting a leak in electrofusion joints and wirelessly communicate the leak to an external network. Such joint monitoring system is highly desirable as pipe leaks can go undetected for an extended period of time. Moreover, once detected, leaks can be difficult and expensive to locate, especially as pipes are commonly buried underground or situated at hard-to-reach or remote locations. The challenge that comes with this  is to provide a reliable local power source for the sensing unit that can be on standby for up to 50 years. A second challenge is to generate a signal, powered by the local power source, that can be transmitted to the surface and notify a leak to an external signal receiver. A water-activated battery combined with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transmitter will be developed for this purpose. RFID technology is extensively used in a broad range of industries due to its low-cost and good reliability . This technology is, therefore, an excellent candidate for providing an affordable joint leak detection system.