A prototype non-invasive, non-destructive system based on acoustic emissions was developed for detecting and monitoring small corrosion induced leaks in pressurized pipelines. The technology is accurate, simple to use, and applicable to a wide variety of pipelines and products.  Both the DoD and DoE have thousands of miles of pipelines worldwide to which Federal regulations apply.

 The acoustic emission sensor system has been successfully demonstrated on Army and Navy facilities, including large Navy fuel lines, and double wall insulated Army High Temperature Hot Water lines and a large number of potable water distribution networks.  The studies have shown that while larger pipes attenuate less, the system accurately detects leaks on a wide cross section of piping materials, diameters, and gauges, in water, heating and cooling water, as well as fuel lines.

The next generation of this technology is a SCADA compatible network of acoustic sensors.  This approach is currently being deployed at a US military installation in the form of permanently installed reference sensors in a water distribution network.  Each sensor periodically collects flow noise data and stores it.  The sensors are equipped with a cell phone modem that transmits the acoustic data to a central collection computer.  The central collection computer analyzes the new data and compares it against historic data to search for patterns that indicate a leak.  Once identified, the leaks can quickly be repaired, thus avoiding a significant cost of lost water over time.