Subterranean Anomaly Detection and Repair via IR-GPR Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and repairing subterranean anomalies, such as pipeline leaks and erosion voids, are inadequate due to their lack of accuracy, invasiveness, inefficiency, and high costs, particularly in complex environments like chemical refineries where multiple pipelines overlap and generate noise, making it difficult to inspect and maintain buried conduits effectively.
Innovation Solution
The Improved EnTech INSITE II System combines infrared thermography and ground penetrating radar to detect and characterize subsurface anomalies, using a fusion of remote sensor data and innovative repair methods like grouting to seal leaks and fill voids, allowing for non-invasive, efficient, and cost-effective remediation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional excavation and concrete encasement methods are used to repair pipelines, then repair reliability is improved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical excavation and concrete encasement methods with a chemical grouting system. The grout is injected through small access points to seal leaks and fill voids, eliminating the need for large-scale mechanical excavation and concrete pouring, thus reducing time consumption while maintaining repair reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential repair function from the traditional excavation process. Instead of removing large amounts of soil and replacing with concrete, the system injects grout through minimal access points to achieve the same structural reinforcement and leak sealing, dramatically reducing time and material requirements
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor systems are integrated for anomaly detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines infrared thermography and ground penetrating radar into a single integrated detection system. The infrared sensor detects surface temperature anomalies indicating leaks, while the GPR sensor penetrates subsurface to map voids and pipe locations. By merging these two complementary sensing modalities, the system achieves high measurement precision for three-dimensional anomaly characterization without requiring separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions using a unified platform: surface temperature mapping, subsurface void detection, pipeline location identification, and three-dimensional anomaly modeling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high detection precision
3Productivity
If grout injection is used instead of excavation for repair, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from the integrated infrared and GPR sensors to guide the grout injection process. The sensors continuously monitor temperature changes and subsurface anomalies during injection, allowing operators to adjust injection parameters to achieve precise grout placement. This feedback control ensures high manufacturing precision for grout injection while maintaining rapid productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary three-dimensional mapping and anomaly characterization using infrared thermography and ground penetrating radar before initiating grout injection. This preliminary action identifies exact leak locations, void boundaries, and optimal injection points, enabling precise grout placement from the outset and eliminating the need for trial-and-error injection procedures, thus achieving both high precision and rapid productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system to identify, verify and remediate subterranean anomalies. Infrared (IR) thermographic scanning [10] of a selected surface area obtains image area data [12, 14] inferring such an anomaly. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used [22] at predetermined surface locations penetrates subterraneously to a depth including the anomaly, creating vertical dimension radar data [120] showing anomaly depth. Surface image IR data is correlated with GPR data to verify the anomaly and its vertical dimension and finds [124] a central location in the anomaly. Anomaly volume is predetermined from the area data and vertical-dimension data. Grout injected [26, 124] into the central location at first pressure secures the anomaly by surrounding the central location. After verifying centrally securement, more grout is injected [32, 126] into the anomaly region at second pressure at least as great as the first pressure until the total grout injected approximates the predetermined anomaly volume.