: Demonstration of Acoustic Sensing Techniques for Fuel-Distribution System Condition Monitoring : Final Report on Project F07-AR07

Abstract

Leaks in fuel storage tanks and distribution piping systems have been identified as a mission-critical problem by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army. Fuel system leaks are often hard to locate and virtually inaccessible for efficient repair because the piping is often installed under a concrete pad or tarmac. Leak repair could cost up to $2,000, and the cost of cleanup and re-mediation for fuel spills can exceed $50,000. In this project an acoustic remote sensing system was installed to monitor an Army heliport refueling system to determine whether it could detect and accurately locate fuel leaks using computer software technolo-gies to distinguish acoustic leakage signatures from normal fuel system operational noise. Demonstration and validation efforts were disadvantaged by the fact that no fuel leaks occurred in the monitored system for the duration of the project. However, the monitoring system did identify several unusual acoustic events within the fueling system and interpret them as indications of intermittent malfunctions of a check valve and a fuel pump. The 30-year ROI is about 6.42. Further work is required before the technology can be fully implemented: its ability to detect fluid leaks must be proven, and the system specifications must be certified through an EPA third party.