State-of-the-art detection performance to modernize your water infrastructure
Fiber optic monitoring of water pipelines and sewage systems affords new capabilities with a lower cost of ownership
Failures due to broken reinforced steel wires in PCCP pipelines, which are typically used in water and wastewater pipeline systems, have enormous economic, social and environmental impacts. Our fiber optic sensing solutions utilize a passive fiber optic cable as a continuous sensor that measures changes in thermal, acoustic, vibrational and strain signals. Breaking wires, pipeline leaks and Third Party Intrusion (TPI) activities, such as water theft are detected and localized within seconds, minimizing costly downtimes and damage to infrastructure or the environment.
Fiber optic sensor cables can be installed inside and / or outside the pipe, providing a gapless, real-time monitoring solution or temporary inspection tool. The system tracks the exact time and location of an acoustic or thermal event, which is critical for the detection and localization of broken valves or pipes. The longer it takes to isolate the valves or pipe failure, the greater the damage, water loss, downtimes and repair times required.
DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSING
Many large, new water pipelines are fitted with Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), combining pipeline leak detection and TPI detection capabilities in the same fiber optic cable. DAS provides unique benefits for leak detection of large diameter pipelines, detecting both the Negative Pressure Waves created during the onset of a leak, and the acoustic signal from an ongoing leak with high location accuracy. Despite large flow rates, even small leaks are detected and localized in real time. With early and precise detection and localization of an event, valves or pipes can be turned off before any major damage occurs. Pipeline deterioration can also be tracked and recorded with the collection of historical data. Our fiber optic-based technology recognizes increasing activity of wire breaks in one location and triggers an alarm. With this information, the operator can proactively repair the pipe before a costly failure occurs.
AP Sensing’s DAS provides a multisensory tool that identifies acoustic-based leaks and gas pockets, and visualizes anomalies in real time. DAS also detects TPI events such as mechanical digging, construction work, pipe drilling and pipeline theft.
DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE SENSING
Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) consistently localizes and analyzes temperature variations, taking normal environmental and seasonal factors into consideration. This enables leak detection for gravity-fed sewage and water pipelines. Sewage tends to be warmer than the surrounding ground, and DTS senses the changes in temperature caused by a leak on the ground adjacent to the pipeline or water channel. Similarly, the position of storm water ingress into sewer systems can be located by using a combination of our DTS and a fiber optic cable inside the sewers.
SMARTVISION
AP Sensing SmartVision software provides the status overview of the monitored pipeline infrastructure at a glance, controlled by an easy-to-use graphical interface. It seamlessly integrates many DAS, DTS, CCTV and other sensors into a single platform. Pipeline layouts are mapped and color-coded to show the measured pipeline temperatures, as well as instantaneous changes in acoustic energy. Temperature graphics and hotspot tables are readily available. Sections of the cable route can be individually defined for flexible alarm levels and types. Therefore, immediate reaction or countermeasures are enabled.
As we develop our products from the research and manufacturing stages, to the project commissioning and maintenance, AP Sensing offers a completely integrated, end-to-end solution. Our team works together with you to select the right combination of technologies to fit your requirements. We also provide onsite services, hotline support, maintenance and product trainings.
OUR KEY FEATURES FOR PIPELINE MONITORING
Why you should choose AP Sensing!
Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Fiber-optic distributed optical sensing solution | …real-time, continuous and continual temperature and acoustic/vibration data, such as such as orifice noise (OFN) or negative pressure waves (NPW) along the entire sensor cable length. |
Complete asset protection with complementary technologies | …state-of-the-art leakage and third-party interference detection. |
Machine learning pattern recognition |
…advanced signal processing and machine learning algorithms to identify signals whilst achieving industry’s lowest false alarm rates |
Enhanced data and alarm processing with SmartVision | …unique fusion of sensor data to minimize nuisance alarm rates and optimize alarm precision. |
Expert, experienced and certified AP Sensing project team | ...worry-free execution delivers your project on time and on budget. |
APPLICATIONS
Our solutions offer robust and reliable asset protection for various application areas, including:
- Water Treatment Plants and Reservoirs
- Water Transmission Networks
- Prestressed Concrete Cylindrical Pipes (PCCP) monitoring
- CSOs Systems
- Sewage Pumping Stations and Sewer Interceptors
Quotes
Digitization is the driver for quality, capacity and efficient railway operation for DB Netz AG. Fiber Optic Sensing is an outstanding technology that enables the improval of infrastructure capabilities at lightspeed compared to other solutions using existing cable infrastructure. AP Sensing is taking FOS-based railway monitoring to the next level with their true phase-based system and the extensive use of AI. We’re happy to work in collaboration with AP Sensing’s responsive and innovative team, helping us to get projects moving and getting FOS integrated in the daily railway operation.
AP Sensing's support team has been a fantastic resource for us over the years. They have helped us with system development and implementation planning, and they are always quick to respond to our technical queries with competent advice and helpful tips.
When I think of AP Sensing the first thing I think of is reliability. We completely trust and rely on their performance specifications and I know that their technical support team is dedicated and passionate about solving any problems that might come up.
Knowing the technology and market, it is evident to me that AP Sensing is the forerunner in distributed optical sensing. Their solutions reflect a combination of experience and creativity. Experience comes from their HP/Agilent heritage, the leader in test and measurement equipment, with decades of experience in developing and manufacturing extremely reliable and high quality products. The creativity comes from their passion and commitment to solving real customer problems.
When you do business with AP Sensing you get the feeling that you are working together as partners, because they listen to you and understand the challenges of your day-to-day operations. Communication with AP Sensing is always professional and it's obvious that they have the experience and the technical know-how to answer our queries.
AP Sensing's DTS is simply the best fit. We apply it together with ConveySafe in our coal power plants to protect our conveyors. The systems are rugged and completely reliable, need very little power, and can be seamlessly integrated into customer SCADA environments. Best of all, you don't just buy a box from them and that's it -- their post-sales support is outstanding.
The SIL-2 (Safety Integrity Level) rating that AP Sensing has achieved on its DTS gives us the confidence that their solution is going to work as planned, day in and day out, in high-risk environments. Our LNG terminal operators sleep better at night knowing that our assets are protected and security standards are met.
My AP Sensing regional customer support is fantastic: competent, thorough and quick to get back to me. They have been a key player in our complex pipeline projects over the years, and they truly offer through-life product support, from installation and commissioning to training.
GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM AP SENSING
The newest technology developments, events, and success stories
Do you have a question about our fiber optic sensing solutions? Please call or mail our multilingual, experienced team:
+49 (0)7031 309 6610info@apsensing.com
Sign up for the newsletter
Need a password for the Customer Portal?
Herrenberger Str. 130, 71034 Böblingen, Germany