June 11, 2014 - Mueller Systems Announces Mi.Echo Leak Detection system that offers utilities the ability to remotely detect and monitor leaks in water distribution mains. The Mi.Echo system integrates acoustic-based leak detection technology with Mi.Net, Mueller Systems' fixed, two-way advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network for utilities.
The acoustic-based system, known as LeakFinderRT, can be used in the field to non-invasively locate distribution main leaks with accuracy that exceeds normal standards without breaking ground or inserting tools into the water system. The Mi.Echo system is designed to enable utilities to remotely detect and pinpoint leaks on distribution mains. This capability can help utilities more intelligently reduce non-revenue water while prioritizing and conducting repair projects. It does so by detecting leaks without using field crews, excavating potential leak sites or resorting to other costly and time consuming tasks normally associated with traditional leak detection methods.
The main component of the Mi.Echo system is the Mi.Logger technology--a radio frequency transceiver featuring sensors and algorithms housed in a cast-iron or high-density plastic enclosure that replaces the pumper nozzle caps of wet and dry barrel fire hydrants throughout a utility's service area.
The Mi.Logger technology receivers collect acoustic data from pipelines before generating and wirelessly transmitting reports containing the data to the Mi.Net System's host software component--Mi.Host.
Detected leaks, bursts, low flow and hydrant tampering can be viewed by users online through the Mi.Host user interface, which is integrated with ESRI GIS Mapping software. Users can view the sizes and locations of leaks to determine whether or not immediate repairs need to be made, and they can compare collected data to reports transmitted by other Mi.Logger units to rule out false leak alarms.
