Overview
| Project No. | 493 |
|---|---|
| Contract No. | DTPH56-13-T-000002 |
| Research Award Recipient | Operations Technology Development NFP 1700 South Mount Prospect Road Des Plaines, IL 60018 |
| AOR | Frank Causey |
| Researcher Contact Info | Team Project Manager: Dr. Maureen Droessler/847-768-0608/847-768-0501/ Maureen.droessler@otd-co.org Principal Investigator: Dr. Kiran Kothari/847-768-0893/847-789-9201/ Kiran.kothari@gastechnology.org |
| Technology Demonstrated | Yes |
|---|---|
| Commercialized (in whole/part) | No |
| Commercial Partner | Empty Value |
| Net Improvement | Empty Value |
| Project Status | Closed |
|---|---|
| Start Fiscal Year | 2013 (09/01/2013) |
| End Fiscal Year | 2016 (04/30/2016) |
| PHMSA $$ Budgeted | $512,119.00 |
Main Objective
This project will integrate acoustic and radar technologies to detect buried pipes/objects in front and adjacent to the drill-head during installation of pipes using the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine.
Public Abstract
Two innovative technologies – acoustic and ground penetrating radar (GPR) – that can automatically and rapidly detect buried pipes ahead of drill-head of HDD machines have been under development. The acoustic technology listens to noise generated by the drill-head and reflected by the approaching objects with sensors on the ground. The stepped frequency continuous wave modulation GPR is installed in the drill head. In tests, the acoustic system has detected pipes 20 ft. in front of the drill-head, with accuracy of 2-3 ft. The GPR has detected pipes 3-5 ft. in front of the drill head, with better accuracy. In a combined system, the acoustic system can provide an alert to activate the GPR to accurately locate the buried pipes with an opportunity to either stop or modify the drilling operation. The plan will refine the acoustic system, perform tests at the commercial facility site, ruggedize and integrate the acoustic and GPR systems, and conduct field trials.
Summary and Conclusions
The research illustrated that the range limitation of the acoustic system was affected by both noise source performance and the acoustic system sensing/receiving sensitivity. Noise source performance, in both signal strength and frequency spectrum, limited suitable signal available to the sensing transducers of the acoustic system for processing. For prototype development, test conditions and test field arrangements need to be controlled and configurable to prevent unintentional obstacles or trenches from being detected and cluttering results from planted targets. Other field situations – sandy soil, concrete/asphalt, top soil, etc., – were not tested at the facility and could be an important factor impacting the overall detection system's performance.
Relevant Files & Links
Final Report
Final Report