Wireless sensing of flow-induced vibrations for pipeline integrity monitoring

Modern societies rely on a steady flow of utilities including water and gas through pipelines. Third party interventions (e.g., sabotage), sediments buildup, effects of abnormal temperatures and sustained dynamic loading adversely affect the flow patterns. They oftentimes lead to blocks, leakage and catastrophic failures in the utility grids. Round-the-clock monitoring of the vast array of pipeline network has therefore become crucial. This paper investigates the application of an ad-hoc wireless network coupled with accelerometer sensors for non-invasive continuous monitoring of flow rate and other flow patterns in large pipeline networks. The sensors rely on tracking flow-induced vibrations to directly estimate the change in the flow rate, and thus provide a means for detection and early warning of integrity loss in pipeline infrastructure.