Development and characterization of log periodic feedline based filter for water leakage detection in size invariant PVC pipes

Abstract

In this proposed work, water leakage detection in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes has been investigated using a ring filter connected to log-periodic feedlines (LPF). The proposed filter has a well-structured ring design to adjust the PVC pipes and operates between 0.3 GHz & 0.7 GHz. Using a signal generator & analyzer, attenuation measurements are obtained to analyze the impact of water leakage. PVC pipes with varying diameters (3 inches, 2 inches, 1.5 inches, & 1 inch) are connected with water stoppers to control the water flow during experiments. The leak is contained within a plastic tub to make measurements easier. Results show a good connection between attenuation & water level for all pipe diameters, supporting the LPF-based ring filter’s effectiveness as a leakage detector. An analogous circuit model is created to evaluate the filter’s performance further. At the same time, the resonant parameters, such as Q-factors & resonant frequencies, are retrieved from $S_{21}$ magnitude measurements in the operating frequency range. The proposed methodology is shown to be accurate & reliable, offering significant potential for water leakage detection in PVC pipe systems. By accurately detecting water leakage, this technology enables prompt repairs, reducing water loss & associated costs, enhancing water infrastructure, and promoting sustainable water management.