Demonstration of Acoustic Leak Detection Technology on an Underground Fuel Pipeline

The U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) co-developed an acoustic leak detection technology to accurately locate and estimate the size of leaks. The objective was to develop and demonstrate an acoustic system to accurately locate small (0.1 gallon per hour) leaks in underground petroleum pipelines.

The different acoustic and hydrodynamic properties of the fluids in the system were determined and programmed into the leak detection algorithm to increase accuracy. Specifically, the stiffness of the carrier pipe and conduit, density of the fuel, and other acoustic and hydrodynamic properties of the system were determined and incorporated into the algorithm. The signal processing requirements are more demanding since the pump noise and influence are greater in a fuel system. Also, an explosion proof waveguide was developed to couple the acoustic signal from the inner pipe of the dual wall system that still meets minimum integrity requirements for fuel systems.

The accuracy of the leak location with the new instrument is remarkable.  Double-walled containment breaches have been located to the exact foot of the leak. Data from the permanently installed distributed sensor network is collected and stored. The data is then transmitted to a central data collection computer. The central data collection computer then evaluates leak status information from all the sensors and creates a master record for the system. The central computer is connected to a SCADA system on an ethernet network, so that an e-mail status messages and alarm messages are sent to alert personnel of problems. The information provides Fort Carson personnel with near real time system integrity status, as well as leak location capability to rapidly repair leaks.