Advanced numerical techniques for characterising obstructions in sewer pipes
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bradford
Department Name: Sch of Engineering Design and Technology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Ali MT
(2011)
Rapid detection of sewer defects and blockages using acoustic-based instrumentation.
in Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
Duan W
(2013)
Measurement of complex acoustic intensity in an acoustic waveguide.
in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Duan W
(2015)
On the use of power reflection ratio and phase change to determine the geometry of a blockage in a pipe
in Applied Acoustics
Jevgenija Prisutova (Author)
(2012)
The measurement of complex intensity near the open end of a flanged cylindrical pipe
Kirill Horoshenkov (Author)
(2012)
Acoustic monitoring of water infrastructure
Kirill Horoshenkov (Author)
(2011)
On the variation of the acoustic intensity vector near an open end of a pipe
Krynkin A
(2013)
An eigenvalue correction due to scattering by a rough wall of an acoustic waveguide.
in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Plihal H
(2015)
A novel method for rapid inspection of sewer networks: combining acoustic and optical means
in Urban Water Journal
Prisutova J
(2014)
A method to determine the acoustic reflection and absorption coefficients of porous media by using modal dispersion in a waveguide.
in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Romanova A
(2012)
Local head loss monitoring using acoustic instrumentation in partially full sewer pipes.
in Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
| Description | The results of the experiments and numerical predictions show that the instantaneous acoustic intensity vector in a pipe is very sensitive to even small imperfections in the pipe geometry and wall material properties. Below the frequency of the first cross-sectional resonance in the pipe this quantity can be used to determine accurately the position and extend of a defect. Acoustic instruments, signal processing and pattern recognition methods have been developed as a part of this project. |
| Exploitation Route | Water industry and sewer inspection companies. Acoustic Sensing Technology Ltd. |
| Sectors | Electronics,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport,Other |
| URL | http://acousticsensing.co.uk/testimonials/ |
| Description | The findings have been used to understand better the capabilities and limitations of the acoustic reflectometry methods for detection of damage and blockages in underground pipes. These findings help to improve the quality of the SewerBatt technology which is now marketed by the University spin-off company, Acoustic Sensing Technology Ltd (http://www.acousticsensing.co.uk). The technology is now used by major UK water utilities. It is estimated that Thames Water alone has used SewerBatt to inspect over 6000 km of their pipe. Some of these findings were used to develop a new method to measure the acoustical and related non-acoustical properties of porous media including living plants. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
| Sector | Electronics,Environment,Transport,Other |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Yorkshire Water Services (YWS) and other water companies accepted the new acoustic technology as an alternative to the existing inspection technologies which are based on CCTV |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | The new acoustic inspection technology (SewerBAtt) is an innovative tool that YWS are using to survey sewer asset condition. It started out as a YW research project between Yorkshire Water's Innovation Delivery Team and The University of Bradford and it is now in commercial use worldwide. The acoustic sensor is inserted into a manhole and a sound wave is emitted for around ten seconds. The acoustic response of the pipe is then recorded and analysed to produce a "signature" for the pipe. The analysis is quick and gives an immediate indication of defect type and its location. The main practical advantage of this method over traditional inspection methods, such as CCTV, is the speed of measurement and the ability to measure from the manhole only. Acoustic surveys can be carried out by a single operator as the equipment is lightweight and no man entry is ever required. YWS are currently have 30 teams of surveyors proactively inspecting our sewers to locate defects and blockages that may lead to property flooding. YWS have equipped 6 of these teams with a SewerBatt each to enable them to survey more of the network at a quicker rate. |
| URL | http://www.yorkshirewater.com/about-us/innovation.aspx |
| Description | A Feasibility Study into the Use of Fibre Optic Cables for Condition Monitoring of Sewers |
| Amount | £64,850 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Moormead Solutions Ltd. |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2015 |
| End | 12/2015 |
| Description | EPSRC DTA Studentship at the University of Bradford |
| Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2005 |
| End | 03/2008 |
| Description | Pervasive Sensing for Buried Pipes |
| Amount | £7,290,965 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/S016813/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 02/2024 |
| Description | ASTL |
| Organisation | Acoustic Sensing Technology Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The research funded by the EPSRC EP/H015469/1 project help to improve the SewerBatt technology which was at that time being exploited commercially by Acoustic Sensing Technology. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The company has provided field data against which new numerical models and instrumentation could be tested. |
| Impact | A working acoustic instrument which is now marketed by Acoustic Sensing Technology Ltd. The research fellow who worked on this project, Dr. Tareq Bin Ali, is now employed by the company. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Title | Pipe Inspection System and Related Methods |
| Description | This patent application relates to the new acoustic method for condition classification of defects in sewer pipes. |
| IP Reference | US61813792 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2013 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | This patent application enabled the new Spin-off company, Acoustic Sensing Technology Ltd (http://www.acousticsensing.co.uk) to develop software which is able to classify conditions such as defects and blockages in sewer pipes based on the recorded acoustical signatures. |
| Title | ScanField |
| Description | This software is designed to work as a part of the SewerBatt acoustic sensing technology or independently with data files saved in the standardised format. It is capable of detecting, locating and classifying the conditions in underground pipes. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | Important benefits of new technology are the cost and its ability to survey a larger proportion of the asset stock in much shorter time than when CCTV is used alone. This technology is not intended to replace CCTV completely, but it enables the operators to reduce the survey costs and increase the efficiency and levels of customer service by focusing CCTV on those pipes where need is greatest and managing interventions through measuring objective change. SewerBattTM can also be used to confirm that interventions such as pipe replacement, rehabilitation or cleaning have been carried out to a satisfactory standard. A report commissioning from an independent consultant found that potential savings in the inspection costs from the application of SewerBattTM technology ranging from 35% to 82% could be achieved. These savings enable more focused CCTV inspection to be carried out on a given length of sewer network or permit surveys of larger pipe lengths a given inspection budget. |
| URL | http://www.acousticsensing.co.uk/ |
| Title | SewerBatt instrumentation |
| Description | This product is designed to inspect rapidly the conditions in underground pipes using sound waves. It is marketed by the University spin-off company, Acoustic Sensing Technology Ltd. |
| Type Of Technology | Detection Devices |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | Important benefits of new technology are the cost and its ability to survey a larger proportion of the asset stock in much shorter time than when CCTV is used alone. This technology is not intended to replace CCTV completely, but it enables the operators to reduce the survey costs and increase the efficiency and levels of customer service by focusing CCTV on those pipes where need is greatest and managing interventions through measuring objective change. SewerBattTM can also be used to confirm that interventions such as pipe replacement, rehabilitation or cleaning have been carried out to a satisfactory standard. A report commissioning from an independent consultant found that potential savings in the inspection costs from the application of SewerBattTM technology ranging from 35% to 82% could be achieved. These savings enable more focused CCTV inspection to be carried out on a given length of sewer network or permit surveys of larger pipe lengths a given inspection budget. |
| URL | http://www.acousticsensing.co.uk/ |
| Company Name | Acoustic Sensing Technology UK Ltd |
| Description | Acoustic Sensing Technology (UK) Ltd was created in 2013, as a new Company, with investment from the North West Fund managed by 350 Investment Partners to provide new technology for the water industry and for other industries, both in the UK and worldwide. It is tasked with the manufacturing and sales of the new acoustic technology, SewerBatt, which was developed at the University of Bradford to inspect rapidly the conditions in underground pipes. |
| Year Established | 2013 |
| Impact | Employment, delivery of new, more efficient technology and innovation solutions to water industry. Development of new instruments for underground asset inspection. |
| Website | http://www.acousticsensing.co.uk/ |
| Description | Attendance at Yorkshire Water Services (YWS) Innovation event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | YWS decided to invest in the development of two acoustic technologies: acoustic inspection of underground pipes; (ii) acoustic flow metering. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Attendance at the 6th International Conference on Sewer Processes and Networks |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The paper entitled "Hydraulic head loss monitoring and determination of roughness by acoustic instrumentation in a partially full sewer pipe" was presented and generated discussion and paved the foundation for more work in this area. A research grant from Sydney Water to test the acoustic inspection technology |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Attendance at the Forum Acusticum Conference in Aalborg (Denmark) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | A paper entitled "On the variation of the acoustic intensity vector near an open end of a pipe" was presented and this work received a valuable feedback. Better understanding of the limitations and capabilities of acoustic intensity technology for pipe inspection |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Attendance at the International Congress on Acoustics in Sydney (Australia) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | The paper entitled "A method to calculate the acoustic intensity near an open end of a flanged round pipe" which generated discussion and set the agenda for the follow-up work Development of the new measurement method based on acoustic intensity |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Presentation at Connect Yorkshire Investment Forum to secure funding for SewerBatt technology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A former MP, Mr. Nick Hawkins, was engaged in the commercialisation work and helped to secure funding for the spin-off. The notable impact was the funding from The North West Fund for Energy & Environmental to form Acoustic Sensing Technology Ltd. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Visit and presentation to Environmental Protection Agency of the USA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was the invited visit and presentation to make the Agency aware of the capabilities of the new acoustic technology for the inspection of underground pipes. The Agency have agreed to carry out trials of this technology and benchmark it against other pipe inspection technologies which are established or emerging. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryId=270690&CFID=13659741&CFTOKEN=38853203... |