SENSORS: ACOUSTIC DETECTION I
Sensor ball helps battle leaks
n an effort to reduce water attrition in its system, Southern Water is testing a device that travels through the water network detecting weakened pipes before they become bursts.
Supported by Pure Technologies and
Water Research Centre (WRc), Southern Water’s technology team is applying a “SmartBall” sensor housing system — developed for use in the oil and gas industry — in the pipelines that make up its water network.
MODERN SENSORS The brains of the ball are housed in a small hardened globe which contains acoustic sensors which can detect tiny variations in the flow down a pipe which might indicate the smallest of leaks — as small as 0.11 litres/min, which is barely a trickle — or even a crack that has yet to leak. Other detectors can spot unevenness in pipes and pockets of air. All of this is housed inside a bright blue protective sponge layer, making the SmartBall look similar to a bowling ball from a distance. Once all of the sensors have done their
work and the data is stored within the ball, this can be transmitted to surface stations placed along the pipe’s path or downloaded when the ball is recovered. Prior to this application of the latest
sensor technology, leak detection had relied on simple techniques. Listening tubes held against pipes in the hands of a skilled operative are still used. More modern acoustic logging devices perform a similar
36 /// Environmental Engineering /// June 2018
role with sensitive digital technology. But finding where to look relies on metering the inputs to sectors of the network and comparing with meters at outputs. “We have worked very hard on finding
new ways of finding and fixing leaks with the goal of eventually reducing wasted water from our vast network to zero,” says Sarah Elliman, research and development project manager at Southern Water. “For us, innovation and collaboration go hand- in-hand and we are always looking for the best technology and the best partners to work with.”
COLLABORATIVE MAINTENANCE According to Keith Walker, head of infrastructure at WRc, the company’s collaboration with Pure Technologies resulted in a smooth implementation of the SmartBall project for Southern Water. The combination of SmartBall and
Sahara, a tethered tool for inspecting pipes, meant that WRc could inspect rising mains of any length with minimal disruption to
❱❱ The large outer sponge protection for the SmartBall enables it to be compressed and pushed through small valve inlets to enter the pipe network, below; data from sensor systems housed in a hard plastic ball can be downloaded in situ or transmitted during testing, bottom
Jonathan Newell highlights how a water company is using smart sensor technology to find leaks in its pipeline network
service. In-pipe inspection provides the confidence to target replacement and maintenance activity most efficiently. “Now that we’ve got the ball rolling,
we’re looking forward to continuing to provide our support to Southern Water in the future,” comments Walker.
EXTENSIVE NETWORK To understand the extent of the task being undertaken by Southern Water and its SmartBall devices, the utility company’s network of water pipes measures some 13,000 km and the company currently makes use of 135 teams of specialists, who work full time on finding and stopping leaks. As a result of the work done by these teams so far, Southern Water found itself at the top of last year’s utility company leak prevention league table in the UK. Now, with the application of the new
technology, the company hopes to consolidate its position, spearheading mains water leak prevention in the country. During a detection cycle, the SmartBall
is squeezed through one of the valves on a water main and is then rushed along the pipework at mains pressure for up to 12 hours. The ball can then be grabbed at another valve or caught with a net where the pipe pours into a reservoir, so that it can be used again. EE
❱❱ To read more on water management online, scan the QR code or visit
https://goo.gl/iS41Sa
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