Thermal imaging solutions company HIKMICRO has combined thermal imaging with a method of acoustic detection to offer a combined water leak detection solution. The company claims its technology offers a more accurate and effective method of locating leaks in any setting, so reducing the need for costly groundwork and less water damage, thanks to a faster response time from speedy identification of problems.
Many water leaks remain hidden and their effects can build up over time, so increasing the likelihood of excessive water waste and structural damage to the surrounding environment. HIKMICRO’s dual-method approach to leak detection hopes to change the ways organisations detect issues. Current practice commonly consists of manual inspection and pressure testing – processes which can be invasive and undoubtably time-consuming. HIKMICRO’s detection solution identifies areas of leakage via its B20S thermal imaging camera, then pinpoints the location of a leak with its AD21P acoustic detector.
Users can identify affected areas by seeing the differences in temperatures on surfaces without having to dig or investigate manually. HIKMICRO’s B20S thermal imaging camera is designed with a NETD < 40 mK VOx detector combined with SuperIR image enhancement to improve image quality. This gives utilities professionals and estate managers a visual guide in the event of there being a leak that may be lurking under floors, behind walls, or hidden by permanent barrier.
The HIKMICRO AD21P acoustic leak detector boasts a ‘SuperDetect’ algorithm which combines acoustic intensity readings and spatial characteristics of a region via sound frequency analysis. SuperDetect can isolate distinct noise patterns, without the operator having to wear headphones and discern anomalies by careful listening. It’s possible for less-trained staff to achieve professional results in detection, and the company claims the time-to-detection is significantly lower than what’s possible with traditional methods.
For professional and more experienced users, the acoustic leak detector has ‘Quick Inspection Mode’ for experienced professionals, and a ‘Route Inspection Mode’ that’s more oriented to novices or less-experienced staff. Once the inspection has taken place and a leak’s presence is suspected, Route Inspection Mode provides real-time visual feedback to help locate the leak’s general location. Quick Inspection Mode can then help pinpoint the exact location of leak. Information appears on the device’s interface in the forms of figures, bar and line charts.
The acoustic element of the solution listens on frequencies from 150 Hz to 7500 Hz range, and four band-pass filters help the operator distinguish audio signals from environmental noise that may disrupt accurate readings.
The rechargeable leak detector system has a claimed 11 hour operational battery life, with sensors water-resistant to IP66 (handheld sensors to IP54). Users see results on the 7″, 1024×600 display, work the device via two controller wheels on the machine’s sides, and units are drop-tested to 1.2 metres.
The AD21P acoustic detector can also capture up to 60,000 images onto 4GB internal storage, with media displayed externally via PC. Each hardware instance comes with a two year warranty as standard.
The company offers a comprehensive range of documentation from its website. A datasheet for the AD21P is available here [PDF], for example. European and Australasian distributors are available.
(Image source: HIKMICRO)
