Wireless telemetry specialist Radio-Tech has introduced the world’s most powerful automatic meter reading device for mobile applications, capable of converting a pulse-enabled water meter into a virtual smart meter.  SMART Log provides utilities with a cost-effective way of significantly improving both customer service and operational efficiency while protecting existing investment in metering and billing infrastructure.

SMART Log has an unprecedented memory capacity allowing it to store up to one year’s worth of time-stamped consumption and event history at half-hourly intervals, or six months’ worth at 15-minute intervals.  This remote logging capability offers a range of extra benefits that have previously only been available through the deployment of a fixed network: sophisticated tariff models to help manage and balance demand; customer-side leakage detection via low-flow monitoring; the ability to monitor and enforce drought restrictions; and back-flow detection with related event time details.

Once deployed, SMART Log transmits a ‘beacon’-type message every two seconds, enabling rapid data capture rates and ensuring maximum drive-by efficiency.

Data is collected via Radio-Tech’s PC application, SMART Patrol.  SMART Patrol is user configurable and can be set to wirelessly request between one and 52 weeks’ consumption and event history; typically, four weeks’ consumption history (the equivalent of 1,440 meter readings) can be downloaded in less than three seconds.

Radio-Tech’s smart AMR meter reading system is also compatible with SMART View, an environmentally friendly, solar powered in-house display.  SMART View allows residential customers to monitor their consumption and proactively check for leakage from the safety and comfort of their own home.  The display uses both numerical and graphical representations to show customers their total, average, previous and current consumption on a rolling 30-day period.

SMART Log qualifies for Enhanced Capital Allowances under the Carbon Trust Scheme.  This offers customers 100% capital allowances in year 1, which provides a significant cash flow incentive.  For more details go to www.eca.gov.uk/etl

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Correlating noise loggers from Halma Water Management were successfully used in a leak finding project by Transco, along the Jabal Hafeet Road in the United Arab Emirates. The pilot test not only identified, but also accurately pinpointed two mains water leaks along the road, which extends over 7 miles up the tallest mountain in the Arabian Peninsula servicing hotel and palace complexes.

The Soundsens i loggers were deployed over a 350m stretch alongside the mountain road, near to the Jabal Hafeet hotel. The mains pipe was a 200mm diameter Carbon steel pipe with isolation coating, with a wall thickness of 12mm and buried 1.5m under sand, high-voltage cable and Asphalt. Laid in the hard shoulder of the important road, near to royal residences, a leak had been suspected in the pipe for nearly 6 months. With no existing access or chambers nearby, 3 holes were dug to install the Soundsens pods on directly onto the pipe.

Placed at intervals of 196m and 148m, data was collected for three readings: one before cutting power to the nearby cable, one with no power, and one just checking the area between the 2nd and 3rd sensors. All three tests returned accurately similar results, confirming the presence of not one but two leaks, with accuracy unaffected by interference from the power cable. The actual testing was carried out by HWM’s agent for the Middle East, Reetaj Technology & Technical Services.

Across the 3 tests, results for leak locations were within 15cm of each other, suggesting that the leaks had indeed been pinpointed. An HWM Xmic Ground Microphone was used to check and confirm the locations, before excavation revealed the leaking water itself and the repair team moved in to successfully fix the pipe.

The SoundSens ‘i’ system features infra-red communication, so there are no cables, and set-up and download can now be done without the need for a PC. In addition, cases of loggers can be linked to allow simultaneous set-up and download. Further information can be found on the HWM website at www.hwm-water.com.

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