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1. System overview
1.1. ORTOMAT leak detection system
With their permanent leak monitoring system, ORTOMAT units
are fitted to the water supply to enable the water main system
(including the supply pipes) to be checked for leak sounds on a
large-scale basis.
The aim is to analyse the sound structures of the period in which
consumption is at its lowest level between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
ORTOMAT dataloggers are fitted with a microprocessor and
intelligent software, which decide whether there are any leaks
immediately after a measuring period.
Leaks are thus immediately recognised and are available for the wireless readout of the
water supply. With the new ORTOMAT system, battery requirements are arranged to
permit a battery service life of 10 years.
Wherever possible, ORTOMAT dataloggers are integrated into the water mains without
any structural measures. Gate-valve operating spindles, gate-valve shafts, in-house
installations or spot drilling are only a few of the ways they can be adapted.
The data recording of the sounds emanating from the different sections of the
water mains is saved in the electronic memory of an ORTOMAT datalogger and is
available for analysis during the programmable transmission periods. The water
supply authority uses an ORTOMAT controller to collect the measurements saved
(40 nights) by driving to the measurement locations individually. As soon as a
measurement location is reached, the ORTOMAT controller beeps to indicate that
data has been saved in the intelligent memory and an acoustic signal is emitted
to indicate whether there is a leak or not. The data measurements can be
displayed either numerically and/or graphically and viewed on the ORTOMAT
controller’s graphic display. Data is transferred to a PC for the purpose of
storage.
Data measurements are either analysed using an ORTOMAT
controller or a PC. For this purpose, one measurement is
available to us per day and this is the lowest value measured. If
there are no leaks, the lowest measurement is very low and
amounts to a value in the region of 0dB. If the lowest
measurement is high (e.g. higher than 10dB), exceptional
sounds are present, which must be defined and located.
The ORTOMAT system offers convincing proof of the reliability of leak identification with
several thousand dataloggers/measuring points already in operation. The system
frequently identifies leaks that are still very minor in nature and thus prevents
consequential damage whose extent we are probably not yet aware of. Leaks can be
pinpointed for inclusion in daily work routines and repaired during normal working hours.
Naturally, pipe bursts requiring immediate attention can occur even with this system.
However, the number of night callouts in water supply districts using ORTOMAT systems
has been substantially reduced.