Application of Advanced Leak Detection Technologies in Portugal
Publication: Pipelines 2009: Infrastructure's Hidden Assets
Abstract
Initially developed in the UK and North America, advanced tools for leak location in large diameter water transmission mains have begun to spread across the globe. Recognizing the tremendous opportunity presented by these technologies to reduce losses of potable water in an economical manner, Empresa Portuguesa das Aguas Livres S.A. (EPAL) and WRc Plc (WRC) have worked together to pioneer these technologies in Portugal. The technologies have now been successfully applied to over 47 km of cast iron, concrete, and PCCP water transmission mains in Lisbon, ranging from 30 inches (750 mm) to 72 inches (1800 mm) in diameter. A total of 62 leaks have been located, ranging from tiny leaks that were barely detectable to very large leaks losing massive amounts of water. These successful projects have shown that advanced leak detection technology can be effectively applied in typical European pipelines, and that the leakage rates in these pipelines do indeed make it an economical practice.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Pipelines 2009: Infrastructure's Hidden Assets
Pages: 489 - 498
Copyright
© 2009 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Apr 26, 2012
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Business management
- Cast iron
- Concrete
- Concrete cylinder pipes
- Drinking water
- Economic factors
- Electric power
- Energy engineering
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Infrastructure
- Iron (material)
- Materials engineering
- Metals (material)
- Pipe leakage
- Pipeline management
- Pipeline systems
- Pipes
- Power transmission
- Practice and Profession
- Water (by type)
- Water and water resources
- Water leakage and water loss
- Water management
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