Traditionally, finding leaks has required physically inspecting the area, smelling unusual odors, or hearing sounds. But today’s technology allows experts to detect, locate, and pinpoint a leak even when buried underground or encased in concrete.
A hidden leak in your water system can waste thousands of gallons of water and cause costly damage to buildings or property. A trusted leak detection service can quickly locate these invisible culprits and help you repair them. Keep reading the article below to Learn More.
Light detection and ranging, or LiDAR, is a surveying technology that uses lasers to measure objects and create 3D models. This data can be used for many applications, including mapping terrain and assessing geohazards. It is also used to detect leaks in oil and gas facilities.
A LiDAR system sends laser pulses, which are recorded by sensors as they return to the surface of the ground. These pulses are then translated into elevation data by computers. The resulting point cloud provides information on the height of the surface and other physical characteristics. The information can then be analyzed to find possible leak points, and to identify the location of other problems, such as erosion or surface degradation.
The accuracy of LiDAR can help companies reduce exploration, drilling and facility expenses by identifying potential obstacles and reducing the number of required drill attempts. It can also improve the safety of employees and reduce environmental incidents.
Airborne LiDAR can provide data for larger areas and is more versatile than satellite imagery, which requires the aircraft to be in a specific position. The technology is widely used in the oil and gas industry to perform surveys, pipeline inspections and geohazard assessments. It can be used on land or in water, and is often paired with GPS to track the aircraft’s movement.
In addition to the (x, y, z) coordinates that are captured by LiDAR systems, most sensors also record a radiometric value called intensity. This metric, which depends on the physiochemical properties of the surface scanned, can be used for damage evaluations, classification, vegetation density measurements and even moisture quantification in sandy beaches.
For example, when scanning a forest, LiDAR can identify the shape and size of trees with great detail. This information is valuable to conservationists and the industries that rely on the world’s forests, such as paper, syrup and furniture production. LiDAR can also help forestry professionals navigate through dense treetop canopies more efficiently than traditional methods, which are both costly and time consuming.
Advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous vehicles like self-driving cars leverage LiDAR maps to “see” and navigate roads and other environments. It is also used by airports to monitor wind speeds and track foreign object debris. LiDAR data is available to the public in a variety of formats, including digital models and point cloud data. It can be downloaded from free repositories such as the USGS 3DEP, Open Topography and Community Dataspace.
Drones
Using drones equipped with thermal imaging technology, technicians can quickly and safely locate leaks in water mains. This allows for the repair of the leak and reduction of water waste, which results in significant cost savings.
In addition, locating water leaks early can prevent property damage and mold growth. The technology can also be used to monitor water levels and track environmental compliance. In addition, it can identify any unexpected patterns in water runoff.
The hardware consists of a small drone outfitted with only a retroreflector (a mirror that reflects incoming light directly back to the source) and a base station of gas sensing equipment. The software continuously measures methane and ethane, keeping track of wind velocity and position, and uses algorithms to reliably detect leaks. It can then generate and share digital reports in real-time on a user-controlled Cloud server, while maintaining rigorous cyber security protocols.
Methane leaks can be hard to detect and are a major focus of the Paris Agreement to control climate change, so there is strong incentive for oil and gas companies to cut methane emissions from pipelines. SwRI has developed a drone-based sensor called SLED/M that can help detect methane leaks along pipelines, replacing older detection systems that are not as accurate or have to be physically deployed at remote sites.
SLED/M can detect a single methane molecule at very high resolution, providing detailed information on the location and intensity of a leak. It also can measure the rate at which methane is escaping and determine its direction of travel, allowing operators to plan repairs with confidence. The system can also provide information about the leak’s duration and potential cause.
Drones are widely used in the film industry for shooting aerial images and capturing footage of areas that are difficult or dangerous to access by foot or vehicle. Drones can also be used to monitor construction projects and other outdoor events in real-time.
During the recent drought in Mississippi, state officials hired drone pilots to spot leaks in water mains. The drones helped the department cut water losses by identifying the locations of deep-buried leaks that could not be detected using existing techniques. Anglian Water in the UK is taking a similar approach, deploying drones to tackle the country’s water loss problem by detecting leaks in remote and rural areas.
Thermal Imaging
Thermography is used in a variety of settings, including healthcare, energy efficiency and security. Thermography can help detect problems that might otherwise go undetected by other methods, reducing costs and downtime. Thermal imaging also provides the advantage of identifying problems without contacting the equipment, so it can be useful for a number of tasks that may be dangerous or costly for humans to do themselves.
The ability of thermal imaging cameras to detect moisture is especially helpful in detecting leaks and other issues that can damage structures. Humidity, condensation, leaking pipes and precipitation (rain or snow) are all common sources of moisture in buildings, and while a little moisture is usually not a problem, excessive moisture can lead to mold development, structural damage and other serious issues. Thermal imaging cameras can find leaks and other problems in walls and other building materials by picking up the subtle temperature variations that are harbingers of moisture, helping to reveal hidden water or vapor problems that might not be apparent to the naked eye.
Plumbing contractors often use thermal imagers to locate leaks in piping, because they can be difficult to see without the assistance of a camera. Thermography can also be used to identify trouble spots in a roof, such as areas where moisture has accumulated under roofing membranes or in shafts and conduits. This information can be very valuable in determining the source and extent of a leak and developing effective remediation strategies.
In addition to detecting leaks, thermal imaging cameras are used by firefighters and law enforcement officers for a variety of purposes. They can help to track hot spots and other signs of fire or explosions, enabling faster response times in emergencies. They can also be useful in a number of other emergency situations, such as identifying the location of trapped people or assisting with investigations of crime scenes.
The cost of thermal imaging cameras varies depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the camera. The best professional-grade cameras are expensive, but the investment is well worth it for those who need to use them regularly. Reputable leak detection services often include the cost of a thermal imaging scan as part of their standard package.
Infrared Cameras
Infrared cameras detect heat energy by analyzing the radiated thermal patterns of objects and structures. The resulting images allow plumbers to easily identify hidden water leaks by observing surface temperature anomalies that indicate a leak. Using an infrared camera can save time, minimize damage and prevent expensive repairs by finding the source of a leak before extensive problems occur.
In addition to their utility in detecting leaks, IR cameras can be used to find other issues that may require urgent attention. Identifying hot spots in electrical circuitry, overheated equipment, insulation deficiencies and other potential problems can be done in a fraction of the time it takes to visually inspect an area. This helps to reduce downtime, reduce maintenance costs and prevent costly repairs and loss of productivity.
While there are a number of different infrared cameras available on the market, it is important to choose one that meets your needs and budget. Consider the size, resolution of the display and detector, and whether or not it supports a portable computer to download data for analysis and reporting purposes. Some models also feature a high-resolution optical zoom to enable closer observation of objects or areas.
Ensure the camera is properly calibrated to correctly display temperature changes by taking a few test photos of various areas of the building. This will help to verify the accuracy of the results and make it easier to identify any anomalies. Also, ensure the camera is equipped with a setting to automatically store photos and voice notes with each image (like the Fluke PTi120 Pocket Thermal Camera).
To maximize the usefulness of your infrared imaging system, it is best to perform inspections during a period when the temperature difference between the interior of the building and the outside air will be at its greatest. This can be during heating or cooling cycles when the heat generated indoors will be reflected off the exterior of the structure.
Remember that while IR imaging is capable of identifying the presence of water leaks, it cannot confirm their location. Several other factors can affect the temperatures of surfaces, including drafts, poor insulation, and sun exposure. It is always good practice to conduct a visual inspection of problem areas in conjunction with infrared images to determine if the underlying cause is a leak.
