Attenuation characteristics of the fundamental modes that propagate in buried iron water pipes

The attenuation of the fundamental non-torsional modes that propagate down buried iron water pipes has been studied. The mode shapes, mode attenuation due to leakage into the surrounding medium and the scattering of the modes as they interact with pipe joints and fittings have been investigated. In the low frequency region the mode predicted to dominate over significant propagation distances approximates a plane wave in the water within the pipe. The established acoustic technique used to locate leaks in buried iron water pipes assumes that leak noise propagates as a single non-dispersive mode at a velocity related to the low frequency asymptote of this water borne mode. Experiments have been conducted on buried water mains at test sites in the UK to verify the attenuation and velocity dispersion predictions.     

A virtual pipe rig for testing acoustic leak detection correlators: Proof of concept

Acoustic correlators have been used for many years to locate and detect leaks in buried water distribution pipes. Currently, the only way to compare different correlators directly is in the field. This can be problematic as it may be difficult to present exactly the same conditions to each correlator. In recent years, the way in which leak noise propagates in buried water pipes has been determined, and this has enabled the development of a virtual pipe whose behaviour can be simulated in the computer. By coupling the filtering properties of the pipe with electrodynamic shakers, a proof-of-concept virtual pipe test-rig has been developed that will allow different correlators to be compared directly in laboratory conditions. Different situations, such as pipe material and size, and measurement positions, as well as leak strength can be simulated. The theoretical basis of the test-rig and details of the proof-of-concept system are discussed in this paper. It is shown that careful consideration of the dynamics of the shakers is vital if the system is to faithfully model situations that are found in the field.     

WAVENUMBER PREDICTION OF WAVES IN BURIED PIPES FOR WATER LEAK DETECTION

Water leaks are a topic of great concern in Britain and many other countries, because of decreasing water supplies and the deterioration of old pipework. Correlation techniques are widely used in leak detection, but for these to be effective, the propagation wavespeeds and wave attenuation must be known. Relatively predictable for metal pipes, these are largely unknown for the newer plastic pipes, being highly dependent on the pipe wall properties and the surrounding medium. In this paper, pipe equations for n=0 axisymmetric wave motion are derived for a fluid-filled pipe, surrounded by an infinite elastic medium which can support both longitudinal and shear waves. These equations are solved for two wave types,s =1,2, which correspond to a fluid dominated wave and an axial shell wave, and expressions for a complex wavenumber for each wave are given.     

On the effects of reflections on time delay estimation for leak detection in buried plastic water pipes

This paper is concerned with the way in which wave reflections in a fluid-filled pipe affect the cross-correlation function of two leak noise signals used to detect and locate leaks in buried water pipes. Propagating waves generated by leak noise reverberate in a pipe network system, as they encounter features such as changes in section, and resistance such as valves, and pipe junctions. A theoretical model of a straight pipe with discontinuities, which cause reflections, is developed and incorporated into a model of the cross-correlation function. The reasons why the reflections and the low-pass filtering properties of the pipe can be largely removed by the generalised cross-correlation (GCC) phase transform (PHAT) are determined. Using the analytical model, theoretical predictions of the basic cross-correlation function (BCC) and the GCC PHAT are compared with experimental data from a specially constructed test site in Canada.     

Axisymmetric fluid-dominated wave in fluid-filled plastic pipes: Loading effects of surrounding elastic medium

Axisymmetric (n = 0) waves that propagate at low frequencies are of practical interest in the application of acoustic techniques for the detection of leaks in fluid-filled pipelines. A general expression for the fluid-dominated (s = 1) wavenumber is presented in a thin-walled fluid-filled pipe surrounded by an elastic medium. In this paper the analysis is extended to investigate the loading effects of surrounding medium on the low-frequency propagation characteristics of the s = 1 wave. The analytical model is subsequently applied to MDPE water pipes surrounding by three media, namely an air, water and soil. It is used to demonstrate explicitly the loading effects of surrounding medium, acting as a combination of mass, stiffness and radiation damping on the s = 1 wavenumber. Good agreement is achieved between the measurements and predictions. The theory with experimental validations provides the basis for improving acoustic leak detection methods in fluid-filled pipe systems.     

Reduction of noise on large size pipes by inserting acoustic grilles

This paper deals with the problem of silencing relatively large intake pipes by inserting reactive and dissipative absorption sections inside the end of the pipe with a cascade arrangement to form an acoustic grille.Experiments have been carried out on various internal configurations of the same type of section for silencing intake pipes.This paper describes the application of an acoustic grille for silencing the intake end of an engine cooling pipe on a FIAT IVECO'bus. Experimental results have shown a noise attenuation of about 5 dB(A) on that specific source.     

钻具遇卡声波检测理论与实验研究*

石油钻探过程中,钻具经常发生陷入泥沙中不能自由活动进而卡在井下的事故。本文提出使用单发双收声系来检测钻具遇卡的方法,首先使用有限差分模拟了钻具外为自由流体和泥沙两种介质时的钻铤波响应,通过对比远近接收器的钻铤波衰减,发现泥沙卡钻情况下的钻铤波衰减要明显大于自由钻具情况。随后建立了实验模型对理论结果进行了验证。理论模拟与实验结果均表明声波方法可用以检测钻具遇卡事故,从而确定卡钻的深度位置,为解卡钻作业提供解释依据。     

The design and instrumentation of an experimental rig to investigate acoustic methods for the detection and location of underground piping systems

A major UK initiative, entitled ‘Mapping the Underworld’, is seeking to improve our capability of locating buried utility service infrastructure without resorting to extensive excavations. One of the four projects aims to develop and prove the efficacy of a multi-sensor device for remote buried utility service detection, location and, where possible, identification. An essential technology to be combined into the device is low-frequency acoustics, and suitable techniques for detecting buried infrastructure, in particular buried plastic water pipes, have been proposed. In order to develop and test these techniques, an experimental rig has been built. It is the design and instrumentation of this rig along with the rationale for the chosen design which is the main focus of this paper. Preliminary measurements have been made on the rig, to determine the most appropriate acoustic excitation method and to confirm that the rig is behaving as anticipated. The results of these investigations are also reported.     

黏弹介质包裹的充液管道中低频轴对称波传播特性

研究埋地充液管道中低频轴对称波传播特性。将土壤考虑为黏弹介质,结合Kennard薄壳方程和Kelvin-Voigt线性黏弹性模型,引入土壤载荷矩阵,推导出土-管滑移情形下流体主导波和管壁压缩波的相速度表达式。通过数值模拟计算得到流体主导波和管壁压缩波的频散和衰减曲线并进行可靠性验证,分析两种波引起的管壁径向位移之比,讨论厚径比和品质因子对流体主导波传播的影响。结果表明,黏弹介质对流体主导波和管壁压缩波的相速度影响较小,但对衰减影响较大;流体主导波对管壁径向位移有较大的影响,是泄露噪声传播的主要载体;厚径比越大,流体主导波的相速度越大,衰减越小;而品质因子越大,流体主导波的频散和衰减都越小。研究结果可为埋地充液管道的泄漏检测提供一定的理论参考。      

自来水铸铁管道泄漏声信号频率特征研究

针对基于声发射技术的自来水管网泄漏检测定位方法，研究因泄漏而形成的声信号频率分布及不同泄漏量对频率分布的影响。实际泄漏检测时，通常采用互相关法估计泄漏信号到达不同传感器间的时间延迟实现漏点定位，因此，借助互相关分析法研究了管道的不同口径及泄漏信号传播距离对泄漏信号频率分布的影响。同时，泄漏声信号的传播不可避免要经过管道间的接口，因此分析了两种管道接口对信号频率成分的影响。进而为设计合理的管道泄漏检测过程提供依据，并为泄漏声信号形成及多种因素对泄漏声信号特征产生影响的机制研究奠定基础。     

ITER气体注入系统含氚管道的等效漏率评估

氚的泄漏会对公众安全和环境造成危害,有必要对含氚管道的泄漏进行分析。对ITER气体注入系统的含氚管道进行分析,对触发系统氚报警阈值(3×10⁵Bq·m^-3/环境安全值,1×10⁸Bq·m^-3/系统安全值)时,氚送气管、离子源管以及中性化管泄漏的等效空气漏率进行了计算。结果表明,氚送气管泄漏的风险最高。虽然氚送气管的气体压力低于包容管的夹层压力,但由于管道的氚浓度高,漏率大于3.2×10^-8 Pa·m³·s^-1时会触发报警。而在离子源管中虽然氚浓度低,但管道的气体压力远高于包容管的夹层压力,漏率大于6.1×10^-6 Pa·m³·s^-1时会触发氚报警。气体注入系统含氚管道泄漏的氚危害不可忽视,必须进行实时监测和防护。     

On the scattering of torsional elastic waves from axisymmetric defects in coated pipes

Long range ultrasonic testing is now a well established method for examining in-service degradation in pipelines. In order to protect pipelines from the surrounding environment it is common for viscoelastic coatings to be applied to the outer surface. These coatings are, however, known to impact on the ability of long range ultrasonic techniques to locate degradation, or defects, within a coated pipe. The coating dissipates sound energy travelling along the pipe, attenuating both the incident and reflected signals making responses from defects difficult to detect. This article aims to investigate the influence of a viscoelastic coating on the ability of long range ultrasonic testing to detect a defect in an axisymmetric pipe. The article focuses on understanding the behaviour of the fundamental torsional mode and quantifying the effect of bitumen coatings on reflection coefficients generated by axisymmetric defects. Reflection coefficients are measured experimentally for coated and uncoated pipes and compared to theoretical predictions generated using numerical mode matching and a hybrid finite element technique. Good agreement between prediction and measurement is observed for uncoated pipes, and it is shown that the theoretical methods presented here are fast and efficient making them suitable for studying long pipe runs. However, when studying coated pipes agreement between theory and prediction is observed to be poor for predictions based on those bulk acoustic properties currently reported in the literature for bitumen. Good agreement is observed only after conducting a parametric study to identify more appropriate values for the bulk acoustic properties. Furthermore, the reflection coefficients obtained for the fundamental torsional mode in a coated pipe show that significant sound attenuation is present over relatively short lengths of coating, thus quantifying those problems commonly encountered with the use of long range ultrasonic testing on coated pipes in the field.     

ITER气体注入系统汇集管道现场安装阶段的检漏方案

根据ITER设计真空手册泄漏检测的要求,提出了ITER气体注入系统汇集管道在现场安装阶段的检漏方案。对汇集管道内管的检漏采用真空氦喷吹法进行,按照窗口小室的焊接顺序,每完成一个窗口小室内的焊接就进行一次检漏。对内管检漏所需要的最长抽气时间和最长反应时间进行了评估。结果表明,单次检漏的抽气时间在30min以内,检漏的反应时间在10min以内。对汇集管道包容管的检漏采用正压氦吸枪法进行,在包容管所有焊接均完成后一次性进行检漏。     

爆炸载荷作用下焊缝区附近埋地X70钢管的动力响应分析

爆破地震效应对埋地管线的影响已成为工程爆破领域研究的热点。基于有限元软件ANSYS/LS-DYNA,以两种含Y型焊缝(坡口有2 mm余高焊缝和坡口无余高焊缝)的埋地X70钢管为例,数值模拟研究了TNT炸药量相同(4.473 kg)而炸高(60.0、85.0和110.0 cm)不同时,焊缝区附近埋地X70钢管的动力响应规律。研究表明:当炸高为60.0 cm时,焊缝有余高的管道受应力集中的影响较大,且先于焊缝无余高的管道进入屈服阶段;当炸高为60.0和85.0 cm时,焊缝有余高的管道整体抵抗变形的能力明显弱于焊缝无余高的管道。管土间的相互作用对X70管道背爆面有支撑作用,可有效地减小管道背爆面的位移。在相同条件下,焊缝有余高的X70管道抵抗振动的性能弱于焊缝无余高的管道,且与焊缝形式相比,炸高对含焊缝区的X70管道的最大振速起主要影响作用。     

Acoustic attenuation, phase and group velocities in liquid-filled pipes II: simulation for Spallation Neutron Sources and planetary exploration

This paper uses a finite element method (FEM) to compare predictions of the attenuation and sound speeds of acoustic modes in a fluid-filled pipe with those of the analytical model presented in the first paper in this series. It explains why, when the predictions of the earlier paper were compared with experimental data from a water-filled PMMA pipe, the uncertainties and agreement for attenuation data were worse than those for sound speed data. Having validated the FEM approach in this way, the versatility of FEM is thereafter demonstrated by modeling two practical applications which are beyond the analysis of the earlier paper. These applications model propagation in the mercury-filled steel pipework of the Spallation Neutron Source at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tennessee), and in a long-standing design for acoustic sensors for use on planetary probes. The results show that strong coupling between the fluid and the solid walls means that erroneous interpretations are made of the data if they assume that the sound speed and attenuation in the fluid in the pipe are the same as those that would be measured in an infinite volume of identical fluid, assumptions which are common when such data have previously been interpreted.     

Vibration characteristic analysis of buried pipes using the wave propagation approach

A theoretical analysis for the free vibration of simply supported buried pipes has been investigated using the wave propagation approach. The pipe modeled as a thin cylindrical shell of linear homogeneous isotropic elastic material buried in a linear isotropic homogeneous elastic medium of infinite extent. The vibrations of the pipe are examined by using Flüggle shell equation. The natural frequencies are obtained for the pipes surrounded by vacuo or elastic medium. The results are compared with those available in the literature and agreement is found with them. It is found that the free vibration frequency of the pipe does not appear for some of the axial or circular vibration modes and the real natural frequencies of the pipe are significantly dependent on the rigidity of the surrounding medium.     

气泡对沉积物声学特性影响研究:以东海沉积物为例

气泡对海底沉积物的声学物理特性的影响在海洋学、海洋地质学和海洋地球物理学等领域中都有着重要的研究意义. 利用Micro-CT扫描仪对沉积物样品进行无损检测扫描, 根据沉积物样品中水、气和固体颗粒对X射线吸收率的不同, 提取了沉积物的气体体积(气泡)含量. 利用智能非金属超声检测仪对沉积物样品进行超声无损测定, 得到沉积物声速与衰减. 通过回归分析, 建立了样品采集海域沉积物孔隙填充气体与流体含量与沉积物声学特性之间的相关关系. 结果表明: 含气量的少许增大就会引起声速的急剧降低和声衰减的急剧上升, 但含气量超过10%后, 这种上升和降低的幅度明显减小.     

Whistling of a pipe system with multiple side branches: Comparison with corrugated pipes

Corrugated pipes are widely used because they combine local rigidity with global flexibility. Whistling induced by flow through such pipes can lead to serious environmental and structural problems. The whistling of a multiple side branch system is compared to the whistling behavior of corrugated pipes. The study has been restricted to cavities with sharp edges which are convenient for theoretical modeling. The side branch depth is chosen to be equal to the side branch diameter, which corresponds to cavity geometries in typical corrugated pipes. The low frequency resonance modes of the multiple side branch system have been predicted by means of acoustic models, of which the validity has been tested experimentally. Several experiments have been carried out for characterizing the whistling behavior of the system. While the behavior of a multiple side branch system is interesting on its own it can be compared to that of corrugated pipes. These experiments show that the multiple side branch system is in many aspects a reasonable model for corrugated pipes. Advantage of the multiple side branch system is that it is an experimental setup allowing easy modification of cavity depth. We used this feature to identify the pressure nodes of the acoustic standing wave along the main pipe as the regions where sound is produced. This contradicts recent publications on corrugated pipes. Another interesting aspects is that the system appears to whistle at the second hydrodynamic mode of the cavities rather than at the first hydrodynamic mode. A prediction model for the whistling behavior is proposed, consisting of an energy balance, based on the vortex sound theory. The model predicts the observed Strouhal number but overestimates the acoustic fluctuation amplitude by a factor four.     

Propagation characteristics of guided waves in a liquid filled pipe embedded in a porous medium

A model of a liquid-filled pipe embedded in a porous medium is built to research its wave propagation characteristics,and to analyze the effect of the parameters of porous media on the dispersion.The dispersion equations are established on the basis of the elastic-dynamic theory of the liquid-saturated porous solid.The characteristic of dispersion and the time domain waveform in pipes of different thicknesses and with different porous-medium parameters are discussed theoretically and numerically.Results reveal that the porosity has little impact on dispersion,and the attenuation of guided wave increases with porosity,whilst the porosity influences the displacement amplitude of the time domain waveform.It is hard to detect the permeability variation of the media by the dispersion.The drawn conclusion can provide some theoretical instruction and guidance for the nondestructive testing of buried pipe.     

Attenuation and scattering of axisymmetrical modes in a fluid-filled round pipe with internally rough walls

The attenuation of axisymmetric eigenmodes in a cylindrical, elastic, fluid-filled waveguide with a statistically rough elastic wall is studied. It is shown that small perturbation theory can be used to relate explicitly the statistical characteristics of the internal wall surface roughness of an elastic pipe to the attenuation and scattering coefficients of the acoustic modes in the filling fluid. Analytical expressions for modal attenuation coefficients are obtained. The analysis of the frequency dependent attenuation coefficients and the ratio between the roughness correlation length and the inner radius of the pipe is made for different correlation functions of the roughness. It is shown that two scale parameters control the overall behavior of the modal attenuation coefficients. These are the ratios of the roughness correlation length and the inner pipe radius to the acoustic wavelength. The numerical results for sound propagation in a pipe and in a borehole with statistically rough, elastic walls are obtained and discussed.