Magnetic detection for underground pipes (abstract)

Abstract

Magnetic detection has been investigated for use in detecting the location of underground pipelines, such as gas and water lines, by inputting a signal current into a pipeline and detecting magnetic field (≲100 μG) generated by that current. Measurement factors necessary for accurate detection have been experimentally determined and are discussed. From measurements made on signal current distribution (the current flowing in pipes and leaking from them to ground), it has been concluded that detection error is caused by the leakage current, namely, the current to ground. The detection error is due to the noncenter symmetric distribution of the ground current flowing around a pipe. Even though the ground current is inevitable when flowing a signal current into pipes, it is possible to reduce the error by reducing the nonsymmetry by lowering the signal frequency below 10 kHz in this work. The ground current distribution was obtained by measuring the potential difference between two electrodes, both of which were rod shaped and inserted in the ground to the same depth. At low frequencies below 10 kHz, the ground current distribution in a cross section perpendicular to the pipe showed a rather center symmetry around the pipe, while at high frequencies the distribution changed to a noncenter symmetry with a significant current increase in a region near the ground surface. The drastic change in the distribution of the ground current was also confirmed by magnetic field distribution measurements conducted on the ground using three orthogonally arranged magnetic sensors, each with a sensitivity of 1 μG.