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Low frequency setup
Brief Description
The pipe system comprises of a 145 m long, 79 mm diameter HDPE pipe with a pump or hydro-pneumatic tank flow and pressure sources. Reynolds number can be varied from 0 (no flow) to 1×10^5 (fully turbulent flow) and the Mach number from 0 to 4×10^(-3). This system includes 24 bends with angles from 70 to 100 degrees and 5 pipe junctions. Pipes are amenable to alteration or substitution, e.g., replacing a pipe segment with one that contains a defect or one with alternate lining. High-frequency transducers can be added to the system at various tee connections and requires only a 3D-printed base that slides along the pipe using a magnet mechanism. The facility is flexible to accommodate different changes in the system and is fully adaptable to provide a controlled testing environment to validate time-reversal theories.
Other technical specifications and measurement capabilities:
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Flow is driven by a booster pump or by an air-pressure tank and outflows into a reservoir at the other end.
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The pump is a vertical multistage centrifugal pump KIKAWA KRS 16-3, with 3 impeller and is operated by a Variable Frequency Drive.
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The air-pressure tank is an Aquasystem model VAV1000 of 2160mm in height and 800mm in diameter. Its maximum working pressure is 10 bar.
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Large size high-frequency transducers with increased sensitivity and low self-noise (e.g. Teledyne TC4032 with receiving sensitivity of -170 dB re 1V/μPa and less than 30 dB re 1μPa/sqrt(Hz) noise for frequencies above 2 kHz) can be inserted in the lab pipeline facility. It can also accommodate B&K (Bruel & Kjaer) hydrophones, model 8104 with receiving sensitivity of –205 dB re 1 V/μPa.
High frequency setup
Brief Description
A special feature of the setup is the provision for interchangeable sections on the 3-inch copper and one of the two 3-inch HDPE pipes. These 50 cm sections may be replaced by smaller nominal diameter pipes to emulate the presence of a blockage, or by a pipe with a side discharge valve that simulates a leak.
High-frequency transducers can be added to the system at various tee connections and requires only a 3D-printed base that slides along the pipe using a magnet mechanism (see Fig. 6/6). The facility is flexible to various kinds of alterations and fully adaptable to provide a controlled testing environment to validate time-reversal theories. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the response of both healthy and defective pipelines without the need of extensive system reconstruction or downtime.
Technical specifications and measurement capabilities:
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5 straight pipes, 6.5 meters in length, that are connected to two water-filled reservoirs at their ends.
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Transducers: Brüel & Kjær Type 8104 and Type 8103 that may be utilized either as hydrophones or acoustic projectors.
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Accelerometers: Brüel & Kjær Type 4326-A Triaxial Accelerometers, mounted on the outer surface of the pipe.
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4 HDPE pipes: with their nominal diameter ranging from 2 to 6 inches
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3-inch copper pipe.
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4-inch Acrylic pipe.