A method for acoustic measurement of length, diameter and internal condition of transportation pipelines

Abstract

The paper investigates the problem of development of theoretical substantiation and practical implementation of an acoustic method of measurement of geometrical parameters of pipes as the main facilities of pipeline transport used in production, transportation and consumption of thermal energy systems. The method is based on the application of mathematical processing of the acoustic signal reflected from the open end of the pipe and makes it possible to obtain information about the length and diameter of the pipe and provides quality control of the internal surfaces. The algorithm for diameter measurement proposed in the paper increases the functional capability of the measuring equipment and makes it possible to automatically calculate the phase shift of the acoustic signal reflected from the open end of the pipe, thereby completely automating measurement of the length of pipes of any given diameter. Experimental studies applying the developed algorithm demonstrate that the relative length measurement error for 3 m pipes does not exceed 0.15%, and the diameter measurement error for pipes with the diameter of 110 mm does not exceed 7%.