The Dual-Array Project

Witten Technologies Inc. is developing a non-invasive system for detecting, mapping and inspecting steel and plastic pipelines. The system will combine measurements from our ultra-wideband radar and electromagnetic induction arrays with precise positioning and advanced image processing. One component of the system is our CART system.

The major new work is the development of a novel array of 3-component induction sensors with inversion software to complement the imaging radar system for a Dual-Array System. Ultrawideband radar (in the MHz range) and broadband induction (in the kHz range) should allow accurate mapping of steel and plastic pipelines in nearly all soil types, down to sufficient depths to cover most lines in place in the United States. The dual array will also be useful for mapping large areas to detect leaks.

The design of a 48-channel array electromagnetic induction prototype system has been finalized, assembled and extensive field testing is on-going. The array consists of sixteen 3-component induction sensors and a data acquisition system that is capable of recording the 48 channels simultaneously and resolving signals up to 200 kHz. This system works in conjunction with multiple commercially available clamp-on transmitters that induce currents on buried pipes and/or integrated onboard transmitters that travel with the system at a fixed geometry with respect to the receiver array.

Software has been developed to control the 48-channel data acquisition and to process the data to determine the location of the pipelines. In addition software solutions have been developed and tested to create utility maps in CAD and GIS environments based on the acquired radar and electromagnetic induction data.

Larger field test of the Dual-Array system have been conducted in Juli 2004.

This R&D project is jointly funded byWitten Technologies Inc., OPS RSPA of the U.S. DOT and ConEdison with the official title: Digital Mapping of Buried Pipelines with a Dual Array System (October 2002 - January 2005).