How Acoustic Correlation Works in Leak Detection
Acoustic correlators measure the delay between sensors placed at two points on a pipeline, pinpointing a leak to within a metre.
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A large share of network water loss comes from leaks that never reach the surface. Finding them by listening from above is difficult, and this is where acoustic correlation earns its place.
The Principle
A leak produces continuous vibration in the pipe wall. That vibration travels along the pipe in both directions, so sensors placed at two points detect the same sound at different times.
What the Delay Tells You
The correlator computes the delay between the two signals. Given the distance between sensors and the speed of sound in the pipe, the leak position follows directly.
Factors Affecting Accuracy
- Pipe material and diameter determine the speed of sound
- Ground conditions and traffic noise can corrupt the signal
- Sensor contact quality is the single most critical factor
In the Field
Measurements are usually taken at night, when lower consumption also means less background noise. Contact us for more detail.
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