Water & Wastewater Treatment Magazine
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thermography, thermal gas detection, optical gas imaging and hyperspectral in- vestigations of structures, LiDAR surveys and precise information modelling. Qual- ity, quantifiable data is the key principle at the heart of precision inspection by UAV. Texo DSI inspections are supported by a bespoke cloud portal system that allows data to be hosted by the company. The use of the portal enables the direct comparison of historical inspections and interaction with data sets, and analysis tools also generate classification by fault type across a client's entire portfolio. Data can be generated not just for local- ised reporting but also regionally and even globally. How versatile is the technology? More detailed applications involve the use of multiple UAV platforms with dual payloads and cameras that use a variety of high-quality, factor calibrated and interchangeable lenses that are tailored to meet varying requirements. Thermal sys- tems can cover everything from coupled structural thermal analysis to hot spot identification, leak detection and water ingress detection. Visual and thermal as- pects can be combined in one inspection or survey for maximum efficiency. Using advanced flight control, highly detailed orthomosaics can be stitched together seamlessly using advanced so†ware systems - to allow for an overview of the specified target area - with the ability to magnify and observe the smallest details. How do UAV applications benefit the water and wastewater indus- try? As in the oil & gas and process industries, the technology can be used in the water and wastewater industry to inspect the condition of assets that are o†en expen- sive and hazardous to access using tradi- tional techniques. With the focus of water The Knowledge: drones and innovation Anglian Water recently used UAVs with thermal imaging to address leakage issues as part of a pioneering project. Defects and issues with underground piping are picked up easily by thermal cameras, which show the temperature difference between escaping water and the surrounding earth. This means that even the smallest leaks can be precisely located - so excavation works and service disruption can be minimised. GPS means that the UAV can re-visit areas of concern precisely to monitor how things are changing on a minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour or day by day basis. A UAV can be launched in matter of minutes and deliver real-time high definition footage and thermographic data to an inspection team. Chris Utton, Anglian Water's Intensive Leakage Manager said: "We already have one of the lowest leakage rates in the industry – around half the national aver- age, but we're not resting on our laurels. Customers told us reducing leakage was important to them and that's why we're investing in the latest technologies to spot and fix more leaks than ever before. "In 2015/16 we achieved our lowest ever level of leakage, beating the target Ofwat set us by 3%. But it's not about meeting regulatory targets, it's about beat- ing them; it's the right thing to do for our customers, the environment and increases the region's resilience to drought. "By using the latest thermal imaging and drone technology we are working to drive down leakage even further whilst keeping customers' bills affordable. Each drone flight that detects a leak can save Anglian Water up to £7,000 in water lost through leakage and can save tens of thousands of pounds if the leak can never be identified using traditional leak detection and the pipe is then replaced." CASE STUDY: ANGLIAN WATER TACKLES LEAKS WITH UAVS companies on environmental protection, improving services and keeping bills low, UAVs represent an attractive option as they offer huge time- and cost-savings. It is all about providing evidence of how assets are performing. Apart from pipelines, other assets such as outfalls and sewer crossings can be inspected to spot signs of failing compo- nents, joints, pipework and beams. Again, UAV technology not only delivers quantifi- able safety benefits (by removing the need for personnel to gain access to locations), but it also avoids the disruption and costs involved in time-consuming and expen- sive rope-access and scaffolding solutions. On a larger scale, complex geographical areas such as river banks and coastal areas can also be inspected and surveyed – again with huge savings. How does the technology deal with day-to-day issues? In the water industry, UAV thermography offers some truly compelling benefits in relation to leaks. It is generally estimated that more than 3 billion litres of water are lost each day due to leaks in the water network across the UK. Although some leaks are easy to spot, others can go un- detected for months or even years. A traditional camera for the visible spectrum discovers only a fraction of the defects, or records only areas with visible damage or leaks. However, by using thermal imaging cameras mounted on bespoke UAV platforms, a wide range of detailed and quantifiable thermographic survey applications are possible. These more detailed applications involve the use of multiple UAV platforms with dual payloads and cameras that use a variety of high-quality, factor calibrated and interchangeable lenses that are tailored to meet varying requirements. Which other water industry assets can be inspected and surveyed? Assets such as outfalls and sewer cross- ings can also be inspected to spot signs of 24 | JANUARY 2018 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk