Menu
Mechatronics Research Lab Publications
List still being populated due to webpage maintenance
2017
4.
S Mekid; D Wu; R Hussain; K Youcef-Toumi
Channel modeling and testing of wireless transmission for underground in-pipe leak and material loss detection Journal Article
In: International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, vol. 13, no. 11, pp. 1550147717744715, 2017, ISSN: 1550147717744715.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Fabrication, Inspection, Inspection; repair and intelligence for water distribution pipes, Instrumentation, Mechatronic Design, Nanotechnology, Physical System Modeling
@article{MRL_AFM_Channel_Modeling,
title = {Channel modeling and testing of wireless transmission for underground in-pipe leak and material loss detection},
author = {S Mekid and D Wu and R Hussain and K Youcef-Toumi},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/1550147717744715},
doi = {10.1177/1550147717744715},
issn = {1550147717744715},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks},
volume = {13},
number = {11},
pages = {1550147717744715},
publisher = {Sage},
abstract = {A systematic real-time methodology is adopted for leak detection in underground buried pipes. The wireless communication system is used to analyze the system performance based on the received power by monopole antenna deployed at the receiving side. Instrumentation designed for underground measurement and control such as leak and materials loss detection needs wireless communications to aboveground in both ways and in real-time mode. This constitutes one of the timely and challenging issues of battery-operated systems. The purpose of this work is to characterize the radio transmission between underground buried pipes and base station using multi-layer media including both theoretical and experimental approaches by utilizing various modulation schemes. The objective is to identify the range of operating communication frequencies having lower energy loss, lower resulting bit error rate, and the power needed to transfer packets designed to carry data through the media. This will support the on-device power management to secure large autonomy operations. Experimental tests have shown that the overall received energy was mixed with ambient energy if the latter is sent at the same frequency and that the optimum frequency range used to transmit energy was rather at low frequency range of 100–200 MHz.},
keywords = {Fabrication, Inspection, Inspection; repair and intelligence for water distribution pipes, Instrumentation, Mechatronic Design, Nanotechnology, Physical System Modeling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A systematic real-time methodology is adopted for leak detection in underground buried pipes. The wireless communication system is used to analyze the system performance based on the received power by monopole antenna deployed at the receiving side. Instrumentation designed for underground measurement and control such as leak and materials loss detection needs wireless communications to aboveground in both ways and in real-time mode. This constitutes one of the timely and challenging issues of battery-operated systems. The purpose of this work is to characterize the radio transmission between underground buried pipes and base station using multi-layer media including both theoretical and experimental approaches by utilizing various modulation schemes. The objective is to identify the range of operating communication frequencies having lower energy loss, lower resulting bit error rate, and the power needed to transfer packets designed to carry data through the media. This will support the on-device power management to secure large autonomy operations. Experimental tests have shown that the overall received energy was mixed with ambient energy if the latter is sent at the same frequency and that the optimum frequency range used to transmit energy was rather at low frequency range of 100–200 MHz.
2014
3.
D Chatzigeorgiou; K Youcef-Toumi; R Ben-Mansour
Design of a Novel In-Pipe Reliable Leak Detector Journal Article
In: IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 824-833, 2014, ISSN: 1941-014X.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Control Theory, Experimentation, Inspection, Physical System Modeling, repair & intelligence for water distribution pipes, Robotics & Automation
@article{MRL_AFM_Leak_Detector,
title = {Design of a Novel In-Pipe Reliable Leak Detector},
author = {D Chatzigeorgiou and K Youcef-Toumi and R Ben-Mansour},
url = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6778062?arnumber=6778062},
doi = {10.1109/TMECH.2014.2308145},
issn = {1941-014X},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-03-25},
journal = {IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics},
volume = {20},
number = {2},
pages = {824-833},
publisher = {IEEE},
abstract = {Leakage is the major factor for unaccounted losses in every pipe network around the world (oil, gas, or water). In most cases, the deleterious effects associated with the occurrence of leaks may present serious economical and health problems. Therefore, leaks must be quickly detected, located, and repaired. Unfortunately, most state-of-the-art leak detection systems have limited applicability, are neither reliable nor robust, while others depend on the user experience. In this paper, we present a new in-pipe leak detection system. It performs autonomous leak detection in pipes and, thus, eliminates the need for the user experience. This paper focuses on the detection module and its main characteristics. Detection in based on the presence of a pressure gradient in the neighborhood of the leak. Moreover, the proposed detector can sense leaks at any angle around the circumference of the pipe with only two sensors. We validate the concepts by building a prototype and evaluate the system's performance under real conditions in an experimental laboratory setup.},
keywords = {Control Theory, Experimentation, Inspection, Physical System Modeling, repair & intelligence for water distribution pipes, Robotics & Automation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Leakage is the major factor for unaccounted losses in every pipe network around the world (oil, gas, or water). In most cases, the deleterious effects associated with the occurrence of leaks may present serious economical and health problems. Therefore, leaks must be quickly detected, located, and repaired. Unfortunately, most state-of-the-art leak detection systems have limited applicability, are neither reliable nor robust, while others depend on the user experience. In this paper, we present a new in-pipe leak detection system. It performs autonomous leak detection in pipes and, thus, eliminates the need for the user experience. This paper focuses on the detection module and its main characteristics. Detection in based on the presence of a pressure gradient in the neighborhood of the leak. Moreover, the proposed detector can sense leaks at any angle around the circumference of the pipe with only two sensors. We validate the concepts by building a prototype and evaluate the system's performance under real conditions in an experimental laboratory setup.
2012
2.
Rached Ben-Mansour; Kabir Suara; Kamal Youcef-Toumi
Determination of important flow characteristics for leak detection in water pipelines-networks Journal Article
In: Computational Thermal Sciences, vol. 5, pp. 143-151, 2012, ISSN: 143-151.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Control Theory, Inspection, Physical System Modeling, repair & intelligence for water distribution pipes, Robotics & Automation, Simulation
@article{MRL_AFM_Flow_Leak_Detection,
title = {Determination of important flow characteristics for leak detection in water pipelines-networks},
author = {Rached Ben-Mansour and Kabir Suara and Kamal Youcef-Toumi},
url = {http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/648192910890cd0e,1c6ade0932d1248e,18dcce9156c09e65.html},
doi = {10.1615/ComputThermalScien.2013006301},
issn = {143-151},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-07-16},
journal = {Computational Thermal Sciences},
volume = {5},
pages = {143-151},
publisher = {begellhouse},
abstract = {The accuracy of a leak detection method depends greatly on the flow and leak parameters in a given pipeline. This paper gives some insight into the flow characteristics around simulated small leaks. The present computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have indicated clear distinctive features in fluid pressure and fluid acceleration that can be used for the early detection of small leaks (<1 of the total flow) in water distribution pipelines. The present CFD simulations based on a steady state standard к − ε turbulent flow model are carried out for different pressure lines in 4 in. (100 m) ID pipe. Based on these simulations, it has been found out that the pressure gradients in the vicinity of the leaks are quite large, hence a leak detection method based on pressure gradient measurement is proposed. In addition, these simulations have shown remarkable gradients in the axial flow acceleration along the centerline of the pipe. These discovered flow features can offer another leak detection method based on the use of accelerometers.},
keywords = {Control Theory, Inspection, Physical System Modeling, repair & intelligence for water distribution pipes, Robotics & Automation, Simulation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The accuracy of a leak detection method depends greatly on the flow and leak parameters in a given pipeline. This paper gives some insight into the flow characteristics around simulated small leaks. The present computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have indicated clear distinctive features in fluid pressure and fluid acceleration that can be used for the early detection of small leaks (<1 of the total flow) in water distribution pipelines. The present CFD simulations based on a steady state standard к − ε turbulent flow model are carried out for different pressure lines in 4 in. (100 m) ID pipe. Based on these simulations, it has been found out that the pressure gradients in the vicinity of the leaks are quite large, hence a leak detection method based on pressure gradient measurement is proposed. In addition, these simulations have shown remarkable gradients in the axial flow acceleration along the centerline of the pipe. These discovered flow features can offer another leak detection method based on the use of accelerometers.
1.
R Ben-Mansour; M A Habib; A Khalifa; K Youcef-Toumi; D Chatzigeorgiou
Computational fluid dynamic simulation of small leaks in water pipelines for direct leak pressure transduction Journal Article
In: Computers & Fluids, vol. 57, pp. 110-123, 2012, ISSN: 0045-7930.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Control Theory, Inspection, Physical System Modeling, repair & intelligence for water distribution pipes, Robotics & Automation, Simulation
@article{MRL_AFM_Dynamic_Simulation_Leak_Pipe,
title = {Computational fluid dynamic simulation of small leaks in water pipelines for direct leak pressure transduction},
author = {R Ben-Mansour and M A Habib and A Khalifa and K Youcef-Toumi and D Chatzigeorgiou},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045793011003884},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2011.12.016},
issn = {0045-7930},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-03-30},
journal = {Computers & Fluids},
volume = {57},
pages = {110-123},
publisher = {Science Direct},
abstract = {Computational fluid dynamic simulation of small leaks in a pipe having 0.1m diameter has been performed under realistic velocities and pressures using a 3D turbulent flow model of well tested CFD code. The steady state simulations have shown clear signature in the pressure and pressure gradient variations along the pipe. For very small leaks (below 1l/min), this signature in not very strong in the pressure variation, but very clear in the pressure gradient. The averaged power spectral density (PSD) as well as FFT of the pressure fluctuations based on transient Detached Eddy Simulations (DESs) are presented for different locations around the leak position. These results show that the presence of a leak causes measurable differences in the magnitude and frequency of the pressure signal spectrum and also in the averaged PSD for the range of 220–500Hz frequency.},
keywords = {Control Theory, Inspection, Physical System Modeling, repair & intelligence for water distribution pipes, Robotics & Automation, Simulation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Computational fluid dynamic simulation of small leaks in a pipe having 0.1m diameter has been performed under realistic velocities and pressures using a 3D turbulent flow model of well tested CFD code. The steady state simulations have shown clear signature in the pressure and pressure gradient variations along the pipe. For very small leaks (below 1l/min), this signature in not very strong in the pressure variation, but very clear in the pressure gradient. The averaged power spectral density (PSD) as well as FFT of the pressure fluctuations based on transient Detached Eddy Simulations (DESs) are presented for different locations around the leak position. These results show that the presence of a leak causes measurable differences in the magnitude and frequency of the pressure signal spectrum and also in the averaged PSD for the range of 220–500Hz frequency.