PFI-TT: Leakage detection in water distribution systems using routine pressure measurements

这一创新-技术转化伙伴关系(PFI-TT)项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于实现了一种新的、具有成本效益的水网渗漏检测解决方案。水管泄漏是许多自来水公司面临的主要问题，因为它会导致重大的经济损失，并造成服务中断，威胁公共安全。大多数公用事业公司目前使用的方法可能昂贵、耗时，并且需要训练有素的人员。该项目将与两家合作公用事业公司进行概念验证研究，以评估使用常规压力测量的快速泄漏检测软件的商业化潜力。如果成功，这将通过为公用事业公司提供一种操作工具来改变泄漏检测行业，这些公用事业公司可以将收集的压力信息作为其日常操作的一部分来检测泄漏。如果能够及早发现泄漏，公用事业公司可以将其作为计划维护操作的一部分进行修复，而不是等待它们成为重大的灾难性自来水总管破裂。这不仅将大大节省成本和用水，还将减少重大自来水管道破裂对公众健康和安全的相关风险。该项目将通过与商业化专家和商业专业人员密切互动和指导的重点培训，培训新兴专业人员的创业领导力。拟议的项目将评估项目团队以前开发的快速泄漏检测方法商业化的潜力，方法是将这些方法集成到物联网(IoT)平台并与合作伙伴公用事业公司进行概念验证研究。目前，大多数公用事业公司都采用基于声学或红外信号的侵入性方法。与现有的压力法泄漏检测的模拟优化方法相比，泄漏检测方法已经达到了两到三个数量级的速度和精度。该项目的主要目标如下：(A)通过使用两家公用事业公司人工引入的泄漏进行一系列概念验证研究，测试和验证真实网络的泄漏检测方法；(B)与行业合作伙伴合作，开发物联网平台，以无缝地从多个来源获取数据，并促进实时执行基于水力模型的泄漏检测分析；(C)制定物联网平台和相关泄漏检测分析的商业化计划，以及(D)参与企业领导力和商业化培训。该项目预计将导致有关泄漏检测技术的商业采用的新发现，这些技术使用通过物联网平台启用的水力模型和常规压力测量。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Partnerships for Innovation - Technology Translation (PFI-TT) project is in enabling a new and cost-effective solution to leakage detection in water networks. Leakage in water pipelines is a major problem for many water utilities as it leads to significant economic losses and cause service disruptions threatening public safety. Most utilities currently use methods that can be expensive, time consuming, and require trained personnel. This project will perform proof-of-concept studies with two partner utilities to evaluate the commercialization potential of fast leakage detection software using routine pressure measurements. If successful, this will transform the leakage detection industry by providing an operational tool for utilities that can detect leaks using pressure information collected as part of their day-to-day operations. If leaks can be identified early, utilities can fix them as part of planned maintenance operations rather than waiting for them to become major catastrophic water main breaks. This will not only result in significant cost and water savings but also reduce associated risks to public health and safety from major water main breaks. The project will train emerging professionals in entrepreneurial leadership through focused training with close interaction and mentoring from commercialization experts and business professionals.The proposed project will evaluate the potential of commercializing fast leak detection methods previously developed by the project team by integrating these methods into an IoT (Internet of Things) platform and performing proof-of-concept studies with partner utilities. Most utilities currently employ intrusive methods based on acoustic or infrared signals. The leakage detection methods have been to be two to three orders of magnitude faster and more accurate than existing simulation-optimization methods for leakage detection using pressure. The major goals of this project are the following: (a) test and validate the leak detection approaches for real networks by conducting a series of proof-of-concept studies using artificially introduced leaks with two utilities, (b) working with an industrial partner, develop an IoT platform to seamlessly acquire data from multiple sources and facilitate execution of hydraulic model-based leak detection analytics in real time, (c) develop plans for commercialization of the IoT platform and the associated leak detection analytics, and (d) participate in entrepreneurial leadership and commercialization training. This project is expected to lead to new findings regarding the commercial adoption of leakage detection technologies that use hydraulic models and routine pressure measurements enabled through IoT platforms.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.