Development of Kelvin/Zisman Probe Based Methodology for Detection of Minor Water Leaks in Underground Pipelines

Abstract

Pipelines are the main means of transportation for liquids such as fresh water. Maintaining the pipelines in a healthy condition is essential to avoid leakage that could affect the economy, environment, sustainability, health and safety. Therefore, valuable water must be well managed and saved by detecting the minor leaks before outrageous losses. The objective of this research is to develop a Kelvin/Zisman probe (KZP) based methodology to detect water leaks in underground supply pipelines. A KZP measures the presence of moisture in soil by assessing the electric potential value (E) in volts that is set-up by the probe. It is designed to detect minor leaks especially in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and metallic pipes such as steel pipes (ANSI Schedule 40). The developed KZP passes above the ground surface (soil) to take the potential value readings. The reading results confirm the KZP is sensitive to the moisture; so, it can detect water content of soil with 6.7%, 5.6%, and 5.2%, but cannot detect 4.6% or less. Accordingly, the reading results of water contents comply with their R-squared, which are 0.97, 0.96, 0.98, and 0.81, respectively. Furthermore, 6.7%, 5.6%, and 5.2% water content average potential values are 5.6V, 6.2V, and 7.2V, respectively, which are inversely proportional. The proportionality between water content of soil and potential value reading proves the KZP has potential to detect the water leaks.