A device for tracing the source of leakage pollution in underground pipe networks and its usage method

Abstract

This invention relates to a device and method for tracing the source of leakage pollution in underground pipeline networks. The tracing device includes a mobile base, a control device, a tracer dispensing device, a positioning device, a tracer sensor, a camera, and a housing. The tracer dispensing device is mounted on the mobile base, which is equipped with a flow velocity sensor. The housing covers the tracer dispensing device and has permeable holes. The positioning device, tracer sensor, and camera are connected to the control device. The tracer sensor is located circumferentially inside the housing, and the camera is located on the outside of the housing. The tracer dispensing device is used to dispense tracer in stages. The tracer dispensing device and the mobile base are controlled by the control device. Besides being suitable for underground pipelines of different diameters, this invention can also be used to precisely dispense a fixed quantity of tracer at a fixed location and locate the leakage point in unconfined aquifers, confined aquifers, and underground oil and gas pipelines where it is difficult to dispense tracers using existing technologies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underground pipe network management technology, specifically to an underground pipe network leakage pollution tracing device and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Underground pipe networks, often referred to as the "capillaries" of a city, refer to the pipelines and ancillary facilities for water supply, drainage, oil and gas, heating, and industrial applications within a city. They are vital infrastructure and lifelines for ensuring the city's operation. The core of pipeline operation and management is safety and economy. Leaks in urban water supply, drainage, oil and gas, and industrial pipelines can cause catastrophic accidents such as water leaks, oil leaks, and pollution seepage. Simultaneously, sewage and sludge from outside the pipes can be pumped into the pipes, posing significant safety hazards.

[0003] Due to the large area of ​​underground pipe networks, it is inconvenient to detect leaks and locate them. Therefore, it is necessary to use technical means to continuously monitor changes in relevant data within the underground pipe network, accurately and quickly identify and extract fluid leakage and pollution characteristics within the pipes, and rapidly and accurately locate the leak position.

[0004] Current underground pipe network leakage detection technologies mainly include active and passive detection methods. Passive detection methods primarily involve personnel removing manhole covers to manually inspect for leaks in the underground pipe network; active detection methods are based on sound wave or electromagnetic wave theories, using various methods and instruments to detect leaks in their early stages.

[0005] Existing technologies have the following drawbacks: they are time-consuming and costly; they do not consider the incompleteness of the pipe network wall, such as the development of pores and cracks, making it impossible to guarantee a tight bond between the pipe network wall and the surrounding soil and rock media; and they are susceptible to noise and other factors, leading to inaccurate sound or electromagnetic wave data. Leaks in underground pipe networks can result in sewage and sludge being pumped into the pipes, making it impossible to quickly and accurately locate the leak. Furthermore, the accumulation of sewage and sludge, as well as aging and blockage of the underground pipe network, causes changes in the pipe's aperture, making manual inspection impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device, comprising a mobile base, a control device, a tracer dispensing device, a positioning device, a tracer sensor, a camera, and a housing.

[0007] A flow rate sensor is installed on the mobile base to detect the liquid flow rate in the pipeline. The tracer dispensing device is mounted on the mobile base, and a housing covers the tracer dispensing device to protect it from impacts. The housing has water-permeable holes to allow the medium in the pipeline to flow into the housing, so that the tracer can be smoothly dispensed into the medium in the pipeline.

[0008] The positioning device, tracer sensor, and camera are connected to the control device. The tracer sensor is located circumferentially inside the housing and is used to sense the tracer dispensed by the tracer dispensing device. The camera is located on the outside of the housing and is used to acquire images inside the pipeline. The tracer dispensing device is used to dispense tracer in stages. The tracer dispensing device and the moving base are controlled by the control device.

[0009] The control device can be external, communicating via wired or wireless means and controlled manually; or it can be built-in, using artificial intelligence and other means to automatically locate the leak.

[0010] Furthermore, the outer casing includes a mounting ring and several sub-shell assemblies; each sub-shell assembly includes a sub-shell, a first motor, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. The first motor is fixed on the mounting ring, and the output end of the first motor is connected to one end of the first connecting rod. The two ends of the second connecting rod are respectively hinged to the other end of the first connecting rod and the inner side of the sub-shell. The tops of each sub-shell are connected together, and the mounting ring is installed on the tracer dispensing device, so that each sub-shell can be opened outward under the drive of the first motor, which facilitates increasing the distance of the tracer sensor as needed to obtain higher sensing accuracy.

[0011] Furthermore, each sub-shell is equipped with a tracer sensor.

[0012] Furthermore, the tracer dispensing device includes a gas canister, a solenoid valve assembly, and a tracer canister. The tracer canister includes a canister body, a piston, and an orifice cap. The piston is slidably disposed within the canister body, and the orifice cap is located at the top opening of the canister body, which can be opened outward in one direction. A tracer is disposed between the piston and the orifice cap. The canister body has a vent hole on the side wall corresponding to the lower side of the piston. The solenoid valve assembly is connected to the gas canister and the vent hole. The solenoid valve assembly is controlled by a control device. By controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve assembly, the amount of tracer dispensed in a single operation can be controlled.

[0013] Furthermore, a tracer sensor is also provided on the outer periphery of the mobile base to increase the sensing accuracy.

[0014] Furthermore, the mobile base is also equipped with pressure sensors, temperature sensors, tilt sensors, and / or contaminant sensors, which can obtain relevant information as needed to facilitate further determination of the leakage location.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for using an underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device, for use with the tracing device described above, comprising the following steps:

[0016] S1. Deploy tracing devices in the underground pipe network that needs to be detected to monitor fluid data.

[0017] S2. By using a camera to detect the diameter of the underground pipe network and collect images, the area where leakage has occurred is initially determined, and the mobile base is moved to that area.

[0018] S3. Add a portion of the tracer and collect the concentration information of the tracer through the tracer sensor. Combine this with the fluid data to determine the direction of leakage.

[0019] S4. Move the base in the direction of leakage.

[0020] S5. Repeat steps S3-S4 until the location of the leak is determined.

[0021] Furthermore, the outer casing includes a mounting ring and several sub-shell assemblies; each sub-shell assembly includes a sub-shell, a first motor, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. The first motor is fixed on the mounting ring, and the output end of the first motor is connected to one end of the first connecting rod. The two ends of the second connecting rod are respectively hinged to the other end of the first connecting rod and the inner side of the sub-shell. The tops of each sub-shell are connected together, and the mounting ring is mounted on the tracer dispensing device, so that each sub-shell can be opened outward under the drive of the first motor. Each sub-shell is provided with a tracer sensor.

[0022] S3 also includes determining the current underground pipe diameter, opening the sub-shell outwards to increase the distance between the tracer sensor and the tracer dispensing device on the corresponding sub-shell; and calculating the distance between the corresponding tracer sensor and the tracer dispensing device based on the rotation angle of the corresponding first motor. When the pipe diameter decreases or the pipe becomes clogged, the sub-shell is retracted inwards to allow for smooth passage.

[0023] Furthermore, the determination method in S3 includes: optimizing the tracer concentration order based on the ant colony algorithm and outputting the results through iterative calculation; filtering the improved ant colony algorithm calculation results and outputting the optimal result for the peak area of ​​tracer concentration in underground pipelines; constructing an optimized solution space for the leakage location of underground pipelines; setting each ant to randomly select the tracer release location in the underground pipeline network as the initial release location, calculating the transition probability for each ant k (k=1,2,3…n), and determining its tracer diffusion pattern through probability, until the path order of all ants is recorded, forming a path record table; collecting the optimal path in the path record table in real time, updating the pheromone, and after the first traversal, selecting the ant with the shortest path, which releases pheromones in the next traversal; thereafter, after each traversal, updating the pheromone concentration on each underground pipeline based on the pheromone released by the ant with the shortest path; and determining whether there is stagnation or getting trapped in a local optimum.

[0024] Furthermore, each ant chooses a path based on probability, determined by pheromone concentration and the attractiveness of the path. The attractiveness of the path is determined by the predicted location of underground pipe leaks and the availability of tracer diffusion within the underground pipe network. The formula for calculating the selection probability Pij is... Where Pij is the probability of an ant choosing to move from node i to node j. Let represent the pheromone concentration of ants from node i to node j. Let be the attractiveness of the path from node i to node j for the ant. and To adjust the parameters, Let pheromone concentration be the concentration of pheromones from node i to node k (which has not yet been reached). Let be the path attractiveness of the ant from node i to the unreached node k, and allowed be the set of nodes the ant is about to visit.

[0025] In addition to being suitable for underground pipelines of different diameters, this invention can also be used to place a fixed amount of tracer at a fixed location in unconfined aquifers, confined aquifers, and underground oil and gas pipelines where it is difficult to place tracers using existing technologies, and to locate the leakage point.

[0026] This invention can also monitor the wellbore condition in real time, accurately determine fluid flow direction, monitor real-time temperature, horizontal tilt angle, and leakage location. It has advantages such as reusability, portability, low cost, and durability. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the traceability device of the present invention.

[0029] In the diagram: 1. Movable base; 2. Tracer dispensing device; 3. Positioning device; 4. Tracer sensor; 5. Camera; 6. Housing; 7. Flow sensor; 8. Water permeable hole; 9. Mounting ring; 10. Sub-housing; 11. First motor; 12. First connecting rod; 13. Second connecting rod; 15. Gas tank; 16. Solenoid valve assembly; 18. Tank body; 19. Piston; 20. Orifice cap; 21. Vent hole; 22. Tracer. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Example 1:

[0032] See Figure 1 The traceability device in this embodiment includes a mobile base 1, a control device, a tracer dispensing device 2, a positioning device 3, a tracer sensor 4, a camera 5, and a housing 6. Preferably, the camera 5 is also equipped with a lighting lamp to provide illumination inside the pipeline. This embodiment uses an external control device, which is manually controlled, and the control device is equipped with a screen.

[0033] A flow rate sensor 7 is installed on the mobile base 1 to sense the liquid flow rate in the pipeline. The tracer dispensing device 2 is installed on the mobile base 1, and the outer shell 6 covers the tracer dispensing device 2 to protect it from impact. The outer shell 6 is provided with a water-permeable hole 8 to allow the medium in the pipeline to flow into the outer shell 6, so that the tracer 22 can be smoothly dispensed into the medium in the pipeline.

[0034] The positioning device 3, tracer sensor 4, and camera 5 are connected to the control device. The tracer sensor 4 is located on the inner circumferential side of the housing 6 and is used to sense the tracer 22 dispensed by the tracer dispensing device 2. The camera 5 is located on the outer side of the housing 6 and is used to acquire images inside the pipe. The tracer dispensing device 2 is used to dispense the tracer 22 in stages. The tracer dispensing device 2 and the moving base 1 are controlled by the control device.

[0035] The outer shell 6 of this embodiment has a telescopic function. Specifically, the outer shell 6 includes a mounting ring 9 and several sub-shell assemblies. Each sub-shell assembly includes a sub-shell 10, a first motor 11, a first connecting rod 12, and a second connecting rod 13. The sub-shell 10 is made of a flexible material. The first motor 11 is fixed to the mounting ring 9. The output end of the first motor 11 is connected to one end of the first connecting rod 12. The two ends of the second connecting rod 13 are respectively hinged to the other end of the first connecting rod 12 and the inner side of the sub-shell 10. The top ends of each sub-shell 10 are connected together. The mounting ring 9 is mounted on the tracer dispensing device 2, so that each sub-shell 10 can be opened outward under the drive of the first motor 11, which facilitates increasing the distance of the tracer sensor 4 as needed to obtain higher sensing accuracy. Preferably, each sub-shell 10 is provided with a tracer sensor 4.

[0036] The tracer dispensing device 2 of this embodiment includes a gas canister 15, a solenoid valve assembly 16, and a tracer canister. The tracer canister includes a canister body 18, a piston 19, and an orifice cap 20. The piston 19 is slidably disposed inside the canister body 18. The orifice cap 20 is located at the top opening of the canister body 18 and is provided with a torsion spring at the connection point. Under a certain pressure, it can open outward in one direction and automatically close when the pressure is insufficient. Tracer 22 is disposed between the piston 19 and the orifice cap 20. The canister body 18 has a vent hole 21 on the side wall corresponding to the lower side of the piston 19. The solenoid valve assembly 16 connects the gas canister 15 and the vent hole 21. The solenoid valve assembly 16 is controlled by a control device. By controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve assembly 16, a certain amount of gas can be injected into the canister body 18 below the piston 19, pushing the piston 19 upward and squeezing out a certain amount of tracer 22. By controlling the opening time of the solenoid valve assembly 16, the amount of tracer 22 dispensed in a single operation can be controlled.

[0037] In this preferred embodiment, a tracer sensor 4 is also provided on the outer periphery of the movable base 1 to increase the sensing accuracy. The movable base 1 is also provided with a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a tilt sensor and / or a contaminant sensor, which can obtain relevant information as needed to facilitate further determination of the leakage location.

[0038] Example 2:

[0039] This embodiment describes the usage method of the traceability device, including the following steps:

[0040] S1. Deploy tracing devices in the underground pipe network that needs to be detected to monitor fluid data.

[0041] S2. The camera 5 detects the diameter of the underground pipe network and collects images to preliminarily determine the area where leakage has occurred, and moves to the area using the mobile base 1.

[0042] S3. Add a portion of tracer 22, collect the concentration information of tracer 22 through tracer sensor 4, and determine the direction of leakage by combining the fluid data.

[0043] S4. Move the base 1 in the direction of leakage.

[0044] S5. Repeat steps S3-S4 until the location of the leak is determined.

[0045] Preferably, the outer casing 6 includes a mounting ring 9 and several sub-casing assemblies; each sub-casing assembly includes a sub-casing 10, a first motor 11, a first connecting rod 12, and a second connecting rod 13. The first motor 11 is fixed on the mounting ring 9, and the output end of the first motor 11 is connected to one end of the first connecting rod 12. The two ends of the second connecting rod 13 are respectively hinged to the other end of the first connecting rod 12 and the inner side of the sub-casing 10. The top ends of each sub-casing 10 are connected together, and the mounting ring 9 is mounted on the tracer dispensing device 2 so that each sub-casing 10 can be opened outward under the drive of the first motor 11. Each sub-casing 10 is provided with a tracer sensor 4.

[0046] S3 also includes determining the current underground pipe diameter, opening the sub-shell 10 outward to increase the distance between the tracer sensor 4 and the tracer dispensing device 2 on the corresponding sub-shell 10; and calculating the distance between the corresponding tracer sensor 4 and the tracer dispensing device 2 based on the rotation angle of the corresponding first motor 11. When the pipe diameter decreases or the pipe becomes clogged, the sub-shell 10 is retracted inward to allow for smooth passage.

[0047] The determination method in S3 includes: optimizing the concentration order of tracer 22 based on the ant colony algorithm and outputting the results through iterative calculation; filtering the calculation results of the improved ant colony algorithm and outputting the optimal result of the peak concentration area of ​​tracer 22 in underground pipelines; constructing an optimized solution space for the leakage location of underground pipelines; setting each ant to randomly select the tracer 22 release location in the underground pipeline network as the initial release location, calculating the transition probability for each ant k (k=1,2,3…n), and determining its tracer 22 diffusion law through probability, until the path order of all ants is recorded, forming a path record table; collecting the optimal path in the path record table in real time, updating the pheromone, and after the first traversal, selecting the ant with the shortest path, which releases pheromone in the next traversal. After that, after each traversal, updating the pheromone concentration on each underground pipeline based on the pheromone released by the ant with the shortest path; and determining whether there is stagnation or getting stuck in a local optimum.

[0048] Furthermore, each ant chooses a path based on probability, determined by pheromone concentration and the attractiveness of the path. The attractiveness of the path is determined by the predicted location of underground pipe network leaks and the availability of underground pipe network tracer 22 for diffusion. The formula for calculating the selection probability Pij is as follows: Where Pij is the probability of an ant choosing to move from node i to node j. Let represent the pheromone concentration of ants from node i to node j. Let be the attractiveness of the path from node i to node j for the ant. and To adjust the parameters, Let pheromone concentration be the concentration of pheromones from node i to node k (which has not yet been reached). Let be the path attractiveness of the ant from node i to the unreached node k, and allowed be the set of nodes the ant is about to visit.

[0049] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for using an underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Deploy tracing devices in the underground pipe network that needs to be detected to monitor fluid data; S2. By using a camera to detect the diameter of the underground pipe network and collect images, the area where leakage has occurred is initially determined, and the mobile base is moved to that area. S3. Add a portion of the tracer, collect the concentration information of the tracer through the tracer sensor, and combine it with the fluid data to determine the direction of leakage; S4. Move the base in the direction of leakage; S5. Repeat steps S3-S4 until the location of the leak is determined. The underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device includes a mobile base, a control device, a tracer dispensing device, a positioning device, a tracer sensor, a camera, and a housing. The tracer dispensing device is mounted on the mobile base, which is equipped with a flow rate sensor. The housing covers the tracer dispensing device and has water-permeable holes. The positioning device, tracer sensor, and camera are connected to the control device. The tracer sensor is located circumferentially inside the housing, and the camera is located on the outside of the housing. The tracer dispensing device is used to dispense tracer in stages, and the tracer dispensing device and the mobile base are controlled by the control device. The outer casing includes a mounting ring and several sub-shell assemblies; each sub-shell assembly includes a sub-shell, a first motor, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. The first motor is fixed on the mounting ring, and the output end of the first motor is connected to one end of the first connecting rod. The two ends of the second connecting rod are respectively hinged to the other end of the first connecting rod and the inner side of the sub-shell. The tops of each sub-shell are connected together, and the mounting ring is installed on the tracer dispensing device so that each sub-shell can be opened outward under the drive of the first motor. Each sub-shell is provided with a tracer sensor. S3 also includes determining the current underground pipe diameter, opening the sub-shell outward, and increasing the distance between the tracer sensor and the tracer delivery device on the corresponding sub-shell; The distance between the corresponding tracer sensor and the tracer dispensing device is calculated by the rotation angle of the corresponding first motor; The determination method in S3 includes: optimizing the tracer concentration order based on the ant colony algorithm and outputting the results through iterative calculation; filtering the calculation results of the improved ant colony algorithm and outputting the optimal result for the peak area of ​​tracer concentration in underground pipelines; constructing an optimized solution space for the leakage location of underground pipelines; setting each ant to randomly select the tracer release location in the underground pipeline network as the initial release location, calculating the transition probability for each ant k (k=1,2,3…n), and determining its tracer diffusion law through probability, until the path order of all ants is recorded, forming a path record table; collecting the optimal path in the path record table in real time, updating the pheromone, and after the first traversal, selecting the ant with the shortest path, which releases pheromone in the next traversal. After that, after each traversal, updating the pheromone concentration on each underground pipeline based on the pheromone released by the ant with the shortest path; and determining whether there is stagnation or getting stuck in a local optimum.

2. The method of using the underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each subshell is equipped with a tracer sensor.

3. The method of using the underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tracer dispensing device includes a gas canister, a solenoid valve assembly, and a tracer canister. The tracer canister includes a canister body, a piston, and an orifice cap. The piston is slidably disposed within the canister body, and the orifice cap is located at the top opening of the canister body, which can be opened outward in one direction. A tracer is disposed between the piston and the orifice cap. The canister body has a vent hole on the side wall corresponding to the piston. The solenoid valve assembly is connected to the gas canister and the vent hole. The solenoid valve assembly is controlled by a control device.

4. The method of using the underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mobile base is also equipped with a tracer sensor on its outer periphery.

5. The method of using the underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mobile base is also equipped with a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a tilt sensor, and / or a contaminant sensor.

6. The method of using the underground pipeline leakage pollution tracing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each ant chooses a path based on probability, determined by pheromone concentration and the path's attractiveness. The attractiveness of the path is determined by the predicted location of underground pipe leaks and the availability of tracer diffusion within the underground pipe network. The formula for calculating the selection probability Pij is: Where Pij is the probability of an ant choosing to move from node i to node j. Let represent the pheromone concentration of ants from node i to node j. Let be the attractiveness of the path from node i to node j for the ant. and To adjust the parameters, Let pheromone concentration be the concentration of pheromones from node i to node k (which has not yet been reached). Let be the path attractiveness of the ant from node i to the unreached node k, and allowed be the set of nodes the ant is about to visit.

Images