Maximum Likelihood Estimation to Localize Leaks in Water Distribution Networks
Publication: Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 14, Issue 4
Abstract
Leaks cause significant water loss in underground water distribution networks, which makes it critical that utilities quickly detect, localize, and repair them. Acoustic leak detection and localization methods using hydrophones and accelerometers are the most studied technology; however, most studies for localizing leaks have focused on simple straight pipe segments using the cross-correlation technique. Leak localization in a network of pipes is significantly more challenging, and this problem remains largely unexplored in the literature. The difficulty arises because the cross-correlation between two acoustic sensor measurements yields multiple time delays corresponding to multiple paths between the acoustic source and the sensors in a network. Hence, the problem of localizing the leak correctly requires taking such multiple paths into account. In this paper, we propose a new method for localizing leaks in a network of pipes. Our method operates on multiple time difference of arrival (TDOA) by calculating the cross-correlation of the signals from different pairs of hydrophone sensors. A conditional probability distribution function is calculated corresponding to each TDOA, and the leak location is found based on the principle of maximum likelihood estimation. We also formally propose a new term called interior points where we define the conditions in which leaks can be pinpointed or only localized to the closest pipe joint. Using simulation studies, the proposed method is shown to accurately pinpoint leaks for the cases when the simulated leak satisfies appropriate conditions. The method is also validated by conducting experiments on a laboratory test bed where a simulated leak is pinpointed to within 10 cm of the actual leak location.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Partial funding to support this research was provided by the United States Navy Expeditionary Warfare Center Ventura County, through the ESTCP RDT&E program and is gratefully acknowledged by the authors. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Roya Cody and Dr. Marshal Kafle for sharing the data from the laboratory experiments at the University of Waterloo.
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Published In
Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 14 • Issue 4 • November 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 6, 2023
Accepted: Jul 3, 2023
Published online: Sep 6, 2023
Published in print: Nov 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 6, 2024
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