Design and development of a conceptual prototype of a leak detector and locator via surface vibration measurement, verifying the viability of drone usage.

• Grant number: 24/09145-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation
• Agreement: SABESP
• Principal Investigator: Fabrício César Lobato de Almeida
• Grantee: Rodrigo Alessandro Nunes de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Faculdade de Engenharia (FE)
• Associated research grant: 20/12251-1 - LOCVAS - leak tracker via surface measurements, AP.PITE

Abstract

This work aims to develop a conceptual prototype for detecting leaks in water distribution systems. The prototype will transmit data wirelessly and will use software detection techniques already developed in previous works. To implement this, specific hardware and software will be developed, enabling the use of surface measurements via contact sensors and signal processing, also verifying the sensitivity and robustness of geophones for such an application. The feasibility of using drones as an autonomous tool for detecting leaks will also be investigated. (AU)