Leak Detection in Water Pipes Using Submersible Optical Optic-Based Pressure Sensor

Area of Science:

• Water resource management
• Sensor technology
• Civil engineering

Background:

• Water leakage in distribution networks incurs significant financial losses for utilities and consumers.
• Effective leak detection, localization, and quantification are crucial for improving water service delivery.
• Traditional optical fibre sensors (OFS) for leak detection require costly and time-consuming installation on existing pipelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a submersible optical fibre-based pressure sensor for leak detection.
• To assess a deployment method that avoids rigid bonding to the pipeline, reducing installation challenges.
• To investigate the sensor's performance in detecting leaks through hydrostatic and pressure transient responses.

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation of a submersible optical fibre pressure sensor.
• Real-time monitoring of internal water pressure with calibration against a standard pressure gauge.
• Application of two distinct leak detection methodologies: hydrostatic and pressure transient analysis.

Main Results:

• The submersible optical fibre pressure sensor demonstrated functionality in monitoring internal water pressure.
• Experimental results provided insights into the sensor's performance under different leak scenarios.
• The study evaluated the reliability and robustness of the proposed non-bonded sensor deployment.

Conclusions:

• The submersible optical fibre pressure sensor presents a viable solution for non-intrusive leak detection in water distribution systems.
• This approach addresses the limitations of traditional OFS installation, offering a potentially more economical and faster deployment.
• Further validation is recommended to confirm the sensor's long-term performance and widespread applicability.