Acoustic technique for tracing plastic pipe

Conference · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10120609

Huebler, J E; Campbell, B K ^[1]; Ching, G K ^[2]

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1. Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (United States)
2. Southern California Gas Co., Los Angeles, CA (United States)

Many gas distribution company operation and maintenance activities require precise knowledge of the location of buried plastic piping. Under sponsorship of the Southern California Gas Company, IGT successfully demonstrated an acoustic plastic pipe location technique and is developing that technique into a practical field instrument. An acoustic signal is injected into the plastic pipe such that it propagates through the pipe. As the acoustic wave travels along the pipe, some of the sound radiates from the pipe to the surface of the ground. An array of sensors on the surface of the ground perpendicular to the pipe detects the acoustic signal, thereby locating the pipe. Two different acoustic measurements are used. The first measurement locates the pipe to within + 1.2 m (+ 4.0 ft). The second technique then determines the location of the pipe to within + 15 cm (+ 6 in.) and gives an estimate of pipe depth.

• Research Organization: Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (United States)
• OSTI ID: 10120609
• Report Number(s): CONF-921152--6; ON: TI93005406
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000
42 ENGINEERING
420200
440800
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS
ACOUSTICS
DEPTH
DETECTION
FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND TECHNIQUES
MEASURING METHODS
MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTATION
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
PIPES
PLASTICS
TRANSPORT, HANDLING, AND STORAGE
UNDERGROUND