The leak location package for assessment of the time-frequency correlation method for leak location

V A Faerman,A G Cheremnov,D V Shepetovsky,V S Avramchuk

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/803/1/012040

Abstract

The paper describes the simplest implementation of a software and hardware package for acoustic correlation leak location and results of its performance assessment for location of water leaks from a metallic pipe in laboratory conditions. A distinctive feature of this leak locator is the use of the software based on the time-frequency correlation analysis of signals, which was proposed in our previous papers. Comparative analysis results are given for the information content of classical and time-frequency cross-correlation functions as obtained during processing of experimental data. The results obtained justify comparatively higher efficiency of a time-frequency cross correlation method to solve the leak location task. Improved efficiency is determined by bandpass filtration embedded into the time-frequency cross-correlation function calculation.

Highlights

The housing and utilities sector constitutes an important part of any modern national economy
As per algorithm in [6], calculation of time-frequency cross correlation functions (CCFs) used the different number of nonoverlapping frequency bands M: 20 and 40
From the results given in the table, we may draw a conclusion that filtration embedded into the time-frequency CCF algorithm provides better discernibility of the leak-caused correlation peak

Summary

Introduction

The housing and utilities sector constitutes an important part of any modern national economy. The efficiency of this method when applied to location of leaks is largely determined by efficiency of digital signal processing algorithms used and their software implementations [3]. To assess effectiveness and efficiency of both hardware and software of correlation leak locators, there are several approaches, including processing of software-generated signals [3], use of the software and hardware virtual pipe [4], lab-based and field testing [5].

Results

Conclusion