SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is addressed to the development and testing of a wireless system which will make use of Acoustic Emission Technology that is both practical and affordable on longer sections of pipeline pipe. The resulting system will enable the user to locate, within plus or minus 5 feet, the origin of sounds of distress from the pipe, enabling far less expensive point repairs rather than outright replacement. Development is based on signal processing techniques to identify the very distinguishable sounds of distress and an exclusive method of determining the location of the sounds through use of multiple wireless sensors. If the research is successful, the results have the potential of saving water districts from $1million to $15 million per mile in replacement costs for the nation's 20,000+ mile ($40 billion) concrete water main infrastructure. It will have application at water districts and electric utilities worldwide. The company projects their acoustic pipe testing revenues to reach $36,000,000 within 5 years, assuming a 5% market penetration. Longer term application to other pipe and civil structures is also foreseen.

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II Project will further develop the passive acoustic system to non-destructively pressure test concrete water pipelines. It will locate points of structural weakness in these water pipes to permit reinforcement, and in so doing it will avoid the costs and consequences of catastrophic ruptures. The established goals of the project include: (1) Autonomous Hydrophone System Enhancement - The AH-3 acoustic test system developed and demonstrated during Phase I will be enhanced to incorporate those improvements that will make the system commercially viable; (2) Pipeline Distress Research - The characteristics of concrete pressure water pipe deterioration will be replicated under field conditions in cooperation with one of the major pipe manufacturers. This will provide greater insight into the process of pipe deterioration as well as providing a proving ground for the field testing of the acoustic system; (3) Commercial Feasibility - The research has the potential to greatly prolong the useful life and reliability of the $40 billion U.S. water pipeline infrastructure. PTI has seen significant growth in revenue fueled in part by commercial acceptance of its early technology.