Portable pressure wave‐maker for leak detection and pipe system characterization

Abstract

This article illustrates the performance of the portable pressure wave maker (PPWM; patent pending) device for leak detection and pipe characterization used in the water engineering laboratory of the University of Perugia, Italy. The device consists of a steel vessel filled with pressurized air and water that is connected to a test pipe by a short conduit with a connection valve at its end. By a pressure value being fixed in the PPWM that is higher than the pressure in the pipe, a pressure wave propagates in the line when the connection valve is opened. Singularities (e.g., junctions, partial blockages, and leaks) will give rise to the formation of reflected waves whose arrival time and amplitude—recorded in one or more sections of the pipe—allow their detection. Because of its modest dimensions, the PPWM can easily be carried to plants and facilities as part of a transient test‐based leak‐detection and system‐characterization campaign. First, experimental evidence of PPWM device behavior for pipe characterization is shown. Then optimal operational conditions are determined by means of a numerical model and are tested in the laboratory. Finally, a simple formula for evaluating the generated pressure wave is given.

Small Amplitude Sharp Pressure Waves to Diagnose Pipe Systems

“…Having in mind the above problems, at WEL in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Perugia, Italy, the Portable Pressure Wave Maker (PPWM) device has been refined and tested (Brunone et al 2008b). The PPWM device (Fig.…”

“…Then, as a possible solution to some weak points of such an approach, the Portable Pressure Wave Maker (PPWM) device is proposed by pointing out its behavior not only by means of pressure measurements, as in Brunone et al (2008b), but also by showing some instantaneous velocity profiles measured by means of an ultrasonic velocimeter. In the last section of the paper, the results of an extensive experimental campaign carried out at the Water Engineering Laboratory (WEL) of the University of Perugia are shown.…”

A Hybrid Heuristic Optimization Approach for Leak Detection in Pipe Networks Using Ordinal Optimization Approach and the Symbiotic Organism Search

“…The worst transient fluctuations are usually required because the severity of transient fluctuations is related to the efficacy of applying ITA. The possibility of the use on hydraulic transient for leak detection have been experimentally validated in laboratory conditions by using the Portable Pressure Wave Maker (PPWM) device [45,46], and further applied in field tests [47][48][49]. Generally, valve operation is a common way to create a change in the outflow discharge for obtaining transient fluctuations [18].…”

On the Role of Minor Branches, Energy Dissipation, and Small Defects in the Transient Response of Transmission Mains

“…As a consequence, there is a need for reliable techniques to generate proper pressure waves (i.e., sharp and compatible with the mechanical characteristics of the pipes). With this aim, the closure of a side discharge valve [6,7], the use of the Portable Pressure Wave Maker (PPWM) device [8][9][10], and the underwater explosion of a cavitating bubble [11,12] have been proposed in literature. Simultaneously, according to the available appurtenances, the measurement sections must be chosen.…”