Greater Toronto Airports Authority and CIMA+
Non-invasive condition assessment and simulated leak detection for 20, 28, and 12.25-inch hot and chilled water pipes
Project Overview
KenWave partnered with CIMA+ to conduct a non-invasive condition assessment and simulated leak detection on segments of the district heating and cooling system at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The project focused on evaluating hot and chilled water pipelines located in buried trenches and concrete tunnels. These carbon steel pipelines, installed in the early 1990s, included double-wall carrier and conduit configurations with protective insulation layers, requiring advanced modifications to KenWave’s Dynamic Response Imaging™ (DRI) technology to accommodate the high operating temperatures and challenging specifications.
The collaboration aimed to provide the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) with actionable insights into the structural health of their critical district heating mains, ensuring optimal performance and reliability while addressing unique operational challenges.
Challenges
- High Pipe Temperatures: The elevated operating temperatures of the hot water pipes posed a challenge for accurate dynamic response measurements.
- Concrete Encasement: Pipes encased in concrete required specialized approaches to access and collect data effectively.
- Confined Spaces: The combined service manholes and narrow tunnels limited maneuverability and demanded strict adherence to safety protocols.
- Sharp Bends: The pipe alignment included multiple bends, complicating sensor placement and signal propagation.
Results
KenWave’s DRI technology successfully navigated the unique challenges of assessing Toronto Pearson’s district heating and cooling system, demonstrating its versatility and reliability for non-invasive pipeline condition assessments. Despite high pipe temperatures, concrete encasement, and confined space access, KenWave delivered accurate wall thickness data and pinpointed simulated leaks with precision.
This project underscores the value of KenWave’s innovative approach in addressing complex infrastructure needs, enabling the GTAA to proactively manage their pipeline assets and ensure uninterrupted service for one of Canada’s busiest hubs. The detailed insights provided by DRI equip the GTAA with the tools to prioritize maintenance and extend the life of their critical water infrastructure.
- Achieved wall thickness measurements accurate to within 3.6% of mil-certified values and coupon data for corresponding pipeline segments.
- Simulated leaks were precisely located to within 170 mm, demonstrating the high-resolution capabilities of KenWave’s DRI technology.
- Detected transient pressure waves in leak detection mode, providing valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities in the pipeline system.
