A bench scale testing program is proposed to evaluate the feasibility of developing a portable system for the passive acoustic detection of leaks from underground pipes and storage tanks. The work will employ the use of piezoelectric film in a novel sensor design for the detection of acoustic waves in soils and materials having irregular surfaces. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating the effects of varying soil conditions, source/sensor geometry, and leak emission characteristics. The goal of the work is the creation of an acoustic signature data base for a portable, surface operated, intelligent, microcomputer-based system for detection of underground leaks.
