Infrasonic frequency seismic sensor system for preventing third party damage to gas pipelines

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• Remote Sensing
• Public Safety
• Outside Force Damage
• Excavation Techniques

Main Objective

The objective of the proposed program is to design, develop and test an Experimental Prototype (EP) sensor, advancing the Infrasonic-Frequency Seismic Sensor System (aka PIGPEN) technology to a point where the system is ready for advanced engineering and pre-commercial design and prototyping. Using an independent consultant (to be determined), all issues related to soil geophysics (and in particular signal wave velocity) will be examined and interpreted for the proposed design and EP. Also, as a result of utility, sponsor and cosponsor review, additional tasks will be determined.

Public Abstract

A major cause of pipeline failure is damage caused by third party activity. The proposed program will develop an Infrasonic-Frequency Seismic Sensor System (PIGPEN) that will be able to detect potential third party threats, pinpoint their locations, identify the type of equipment involved, and provide a warning in time to permit termination of excavation prior to pipe disturbance. The proposed program will design, develop and test an experimental PIGPEN sensor (EPS). At the end of the program, the EPS will comprise a sensor and analog electronics that have been optimized and are in their final configuration. The threat identification algorithms will undergo otptimzation and will be implemented in a processor. The program will also result in the development of a concept of operation and system interface requirments. Upon project completion, product specifications for the alpha-prototype PIGPEN will include size, weight, power, telemetry requirements, bill of materials, manufacturing costs, and target retail price. During the proposed program, an appropriate commercialization partner will be identified.

Quarterly Status Reports

Report for period ending December 31, 2004.

Projno151_1st_Quarterly_Report_020105_Public.pdf (15,530 bytes) [View] [Download/Save...]

Projno151 2nd Quarterly Report 051205 Public

Projno151_2nd_Quarterly_Report_051205_Public.pdf (14,979 bytes) [View] [Download/Save...]

Projno151 3rd Quarterly Report 070105 Public

Projno151_3rd_Quarterly_Report_070105_Public.pdf (26,361 bytes) [View] [Download/Save...]

Projno151 5th Quarterly Report 073106 Public

Projno151_5th_Quarterly_Report_073106_Public.pdf (12,190 bytes) [View] [Download/Save...]

pigpen4thqtrreportfinal-Public

pigpen4thqtrreportfinal-Public.pdf (36,131 bytes) [View] [Download/Save...]

Sixth Quarterly Report - Public Page

pigpen6thquarterreport12607revpublicpage.pdf (12,984 bytes) [View] [Download/Save...]