Smart pipe sensing to reduce leaks and breaks
Australian water utilities are harnessing smart sensing R&D to achieve unprecedented advancements in smart water pipe management. Spanning fundamental discovery science to real-time application on live water networks, this multi-million dollar venture utilises smart sensing for condition assessment and leak detection to prevent catastrophic breaks in critical infrastructure.
Co-ordinated by the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN), this agile collaboration brings the expertise of several leading research universities together with key water utilities in five sub-projects: 1) Quantum sensing, 2) Distributed in-pipe sensing, 3) advanced acoustic and pressure transient sensing, 4) data analytics and 5) LiDAR soil moisture measurement and corrosion prediction.
The NSSN university research partners involved in the smart sensing for leaks and breaks project include; the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, UNSW, UTS and the University of Newcastle.
Quantum Sensing
The researchers have created a unique soil profile and hydrology model around a water pipe that can be integrated into the quantum gravitation model. The research is a first-time demonstration of quantum sensing's potential as a viable method in sensing leaks and breaks in large-scaled metropolitan water networks.
Distributed In-pipe Sensing
A world’s first, this project has adapted ocean monitoring technology into the context of smart water management. Tests carried out in a Sydney Water testbed have shown that ocean grade fibre optics and sonar hydrophone arrays -- using triangulation and scenario matched signal processing software -- can intelligently detect and locate leaks in large water mains.
Advanced Acoustic and Pressure Transient Sensing
This project draws on existing and new acoustic technology to equip industry partners with the world’s most advanced practice in the utilisation of acoustic and pressure transient sensors and deployment into operational water networks. These sensors can be deployed in the 1000s to predict leaks, save money and reduce downtime for improved customer outcomes.
Data Analytics
This project uses multi-modal information and data analytics to create predictive models for pipe failure. Such models are operational tools utilised by Sydney Water. This project enables the models to be tested in real life at testbeds in Sydney. The project builds on cutting-edge techniques in machine learning, artificial intelligence and Bayesian forward modelling to refine and improve the data models and push predictive accuracy towards 100%.
LiDAR, Soil Moisture and Corrosion
The project uses LiDAR data of surface elevations determined from laser returns collected via an aeroplane, and LiDAR measurements collected by drones flying close to the pipes – that permits dynamic measurement of soil moisture from the of LiDAR intensity signal -- to enhance pipe corrosion prediction tools. The project will potentially provide a rapid, practical and economical method to inspect large water networks.
The overall project deliverables include demonstrated feasibility of quantum techniques in leak detection, demonstrated operation of hydrophone arrays in pinhole leaks detection, precise data analytics to enhance critical pipe failure prediction rates from 80% towards 100% with new sensing modes and models, adaption of world’s best practice in critical pipe leak acoustics and condition monitoring and LiDAR measurements correlation with soil moisture and pipe corrosion.
A $1 million cash commitment from Sydney Water leads the funding for this project. Further contributions as part of the NSSN industry fund, Australian water utilities, and international partners bring the full resourcing of this project to nearly $3.4 million. Other industry partners include Downer, Hunter Water, Intelligent Water Networks, Melbourne Water, UKWIR, Queensland Urban Facilities, SA Water and Water NSW.
The collaboration demonstrates the belief, determination and tenacity of Australian innovators to tackle the billion-dollar global problem that is the prediction of leaks and breaks in large-scaled water networks.
The outcomes of this collaborative project will positively impact critical water infrastructures around the globe. The project is designed to be agile and adaptable as new findings come on stream. Innovative and advanced areas such as ground-penetrating radar, distributed acoustic sensing and fibre-optics are anticipated areas of future investigation.
View the project brochure here.