Localization of leaks in buried pipes through microwave reflectometry: A practical test case

In this paper, a time domain reflectometry (TDR)-based system for the non-invasive localization of leaks in underground pipes is described and experimentally validated. The proposed system simply relies on TDR measurements performed on a two-wire cable (biwire) that is rolled out on the underground pipe at the time of installation of the pipe (but made accessible from the road surface through an inspection well): the biwire on the pipe acts as a permanent, distributed sensing element and can be connected to the TDR instrument whenever it is necessary to perform a check. © 2013 IEEE