Halma Water Management News - a Halma PR news blog

The MicroCall+ leak noise correlator from Halma Water Management is the newest addition to its proven MicroCorr Correlator line, now with advanced features to maximize performance and ease of use.

The MicroCall+ is a fully digital leak noise correlator that incorporates a highly visible 6.5” colour VGA display with enhanced features provided by the advanced technology, including automatic three-station functionality for improved pinpointing results and reduced incidence of dry holes.

The use of a third outstation produces multiple correlation results for cross checking and allows a greater area to be covered in a single correlation. It also enables automatic velocity measurement which calculates the speed of the sound for the specific pipe. Multiple filtering levels are available to allow automatic correlation across the frequency range and provide highly accurate readings. The correlator features a low frequency response to enable it to work effectively on plastic and large diameter pipelines. Its 16 bit signal description allows the user to pick out weak leak noise from high background noise levels.

The correlator is fully digital, actually digitizing leak noise at the source in the sensor itself, which protects the sound from any signal degradation. The radio transmission is also digital in order to ensure that the quality of signal is maintained throughout the final processing. Digital radio technology enables two-way communication with the base unit, displaying and controlling the outstation status at the base to minimize visits to the outstations.

Milford, OH (May 12, 2009) – To pinpoint leaks and reduce water distribution system maintenance costs, Fluid Conservation Systems (FCS) introduces the AC Digital leak noise correlator.  The product is the newest addition to FCS’ proven MicroCorr Correlators line with advanced features to maximize performance and ease of use.

AC Digital is a fully digital leak noise correlator that features a highly visible 6.5” color VGA display and advanced technology, including automatic three-station functionality, for improved pinpointing results and reduced dry holes. 

The use of a third outstation produces multiple correlation results for cross checking and allows a greater distance to be covered in a single correlation.  It also enables automatic velocity measurement which takes specific pipe information into account and calculates the speed of the sounds moving through the pipe.  Multiple filtering levels are available to allow automatic correlation across the frequency range and provide highly accurate readings.  The correlator features a low frequency response to enable it to work effectively on plastic and large diameter pipelines.  Its 16 bit signal description allows the user to pick out weak leak noise from high background noise levels.

The correlator digitizes leak noise at the source in the sensor itself, which protects the noise from any signal degradation.  The radio transmission is also digital in order to ensure that the quality of signal is maintained throughout the final processing. Digital radio technology enables two-way communication with the base unit, displaying and controlling the outstation status at the base to minimize visits to the outstations.

The Permalog Patroller drive-by data capture system now incorporates the latest Microsoft MapPoint technology and GPS to accurately record the location of each deployed Permalog leak detector. This means that operators no longer need to go through the tedious and time-consuming task of manually marking logger locations.

When each new Permalog is deployed, the Patroller uses a wireless handheld scanner to retrieve each logger’s unique serial number via Bluetooth technology. This information is then linked to its GPS position with MapPoint software, plotting the network of leak detectors for future reference and analysis on detailed mapping software.

A database of Permalog detectors and their precise whereabouts is built up, along with the latest leak monitoring measurements and instant visual cues for any alerts: a green flag indicates that all is well, and a red flag means there’s a leak. Having the location mapped then makes it easier than ever to quickly despatch leak repair teams directly to the trouble spots.

Historic data for each unit can also be called up, allowing for a systematic analysis of leak positions over time, and all the data can also be exported in .csv format for water company GIS systems, to be overlaid onto water network plans. This information can then be used to identify problem areas of the water network in the past, present, and – potentially – future.

Another benefit of automatic location logging is the asset security it offers – no more units lost due to inaccurate or mislaid maps, and easier retrieval for temporary ‘lift and shift’ operations.

The wireless, live, leak-detecting PermaNet system has been hailed as “pioneering” by Scottish Water, and is helping the company to save around 2 million litres of drinking water per day in and around Inverness as a part of their crackdown on leakage.

In a recent public statement, Scottish Water described how they have saved over 180 million litres of water per day since being set new targets for reducing leakage two years ago. This success was said to have been aided by the “pioneering system which uses radio communications technology around Inverness to transmit live information about water flows to alert engineers to potential leaks.”

Water leakage is recognised as an important issue in the current climate, not only due to its inherent value but also the costs, both financial and environmental, that go into water processing and treatment. The PermaNet system from Halma Water Management is a new step in the advance of technology used to combat water leakage, making use of tried and tested wireless technology to dramatically increase the efficiency and expediency of leak detection.

With a permanent network of acoustic noise loggers in constant communication with a centralised data management system, potential leaks can be instantly identified and targeted for investigation and repair. This negates the need for repeated and time-consuming patrols by anti-leak teams, allowing them to concentrate their time and effort where and when it is needed. The collected data can also be used to lower minimum night flow rates according to need, with reductions of up to 50% recorded by the system in use by Yorkshire Water.

Favre to provide support, product training to Canadian markets

Milford, OH (January 9, 2009) – Continuing to increase technical support and product training opportunities for its customers, Halma Water Management (HWM) has named Vincent Favre Canadian Sales Manager.

As Canadian Sales Manager, Favre will provide customers with better access to HWM’s extensive line of water monitoring technologies; ensuring even shorter lead times and increasing opportunities for hands on demonstrations and product training.  Additionally, Favre will support sales growth in the USA via the HWM company, Fluid Conservation Systems, on specific projects.

Previously, Favre worked for the France-based HWM company, Hydreka, for six years as Training Manager and then as Marketing and Support Field Engineer.  Favre holds a Master of Science, and a Bachelor of Science in Math and Physics from the University of Lyon I (Lyon, France).

Halma Water Management is delighted to announce that 40,000 units of its Permalog+ have been shipped in the last 12 months. This is the latest incarnation of the Permalog series of acoustic noise loggers, and means that they have now produced over 200,000 Permalogs designed to detect leaks in water pipes all over the world, from Beijing to Las Vegas.

The product’s popularity is partly due to its versatility. It can be permanently installed to create a monitoring network that continuously looks out for leaks and sends the data back to a central server (PermaNet). The detectors can also be deployed in temporary, targeted leak-finding operations – with the data collected by patrolling ‘drive-by’ units. Recent developments have also led to long-distance, low cost, wireless SMS telemetry options, and a combined use of technology that allows drive-by patrols to collect both leakage and property metering data simultaneously (with the SMART-Log AMR).

Much of the innovation with the Permalog system is focused on improving the efficiency of leak detection, in addition to functional performance enhancements. Close and productive relationships with industry leaders and customers have led to the targeted development of an idea and technology whose potential is now being fully realised. The result of this is that now leak detection is more effective and faster than it ever has been.

The new Vista Plus and Octopus loggers from Halma Water Management combine the unique measurement and data logging technologies and experience of Hydreka S.A. and Radcom Technologies.

Both units are designed for multiple applications including open channel level and flow monitoring, flow rate and rainfall measurement, pump usage and network pressure monitoring. This adaptability, coupled with their 5 year battery life, multiple inputs and outputs, and fully submersible waterproof housing, makes them suitable for environmental logging use in many situations: rivers, tanks, reservoirs, pipes, weirs and flumes. They are used in conjunction with HWM’s ‘Winfluid’ software, which works simply but powerfully to configure the devices, record their findings, and then interpret it quickly using automatic conversion algorithms to give immediately usable data.

The Octopus logger has multiple integrated telemetry options including GSM and PSTN Landline, in addition to a switch output that can drive additional equipment such as samplers – thus extending its range of applications even further. The Vista Plus is an advanced specification manual download logger, fitted with a local display, multiple input options and PC/PDA software compatibility.

The Winfluid software can be used to program both devices (and the full range of HWM sensors), as well as setting up telemetry configurations, recording and converting data, reporting results, and even instant alarms under specified conditions. It uses a consistent interface to keep it easy to learn and simple to operate, and features established function sets (e.g. Kindsvater Carter, Kindsvater Shen, Manning-Strickler) and a full database facility for complete data management.

All of these products are supported by HWM’s global network of highly skilled, experienced and respected support teams. Please visit www.hwm-water.com for more details on these products and how they can be used, or request the product datasheet from sales@hwm-water.com .

Halma Water Management is launching the PermaNet SMS for remote, wireless water leak monitoring. The new system gathers data wirelessly from the Permalog+ noise loggers, and then transmits it via SMS directly to an office computer or mobile phone. This means water networks can be effectively managed with no more ‘drive-by’ patrols or site visits, markedly reducing survey costs and improving efficiency.

The actual PermaNet SMS unit has an integrated radio receiver and SMS transmitter. The radio is used to communicate with local Permalog+ loggers, and the leak data is then sent to a remote monitoring station by low cost SMS telemetry. This combination of wireless systems allows the collation of water management data over wide areas without the need for costly site visits or even drive-by data capture. The potential for instant leak notification also means that leakage teams can also be targeted more quickly to specific areas, saving more time and water.

The product is compact and hard wearing, suitable for deployment either above or below ground. Each PermaNet SMS can service multiple Permalog+ units within range, and can be set up to deliver daily, weekly or monthly reports in addition to instant leak alerts. When not actively transferring data, the PermaNet SMS unit powers down to a ‘sleep mode’ that effectively conserves battery life.

Leak detection specialist HWM and wireless communications expert Radio-Tech have combined their technologies to create the world’s first combined ‘drive-by’ system for automatic meter reading and leak detection.

The Patroller II is a handheld PDA-type device from Halma Water Management, designed to wirelessly retrieve data from their Permalog+ leak-finding noise loggers. With Radio-Tech’s SMART-Log automatic meter reader, it can now also be used to collect water meter data at the same time – a single drive-by patrol will capture meter readings and water leak information simultaneously, for an exponential increase in efficiency.

The SMART-Log itself can be fitted to any existing pulse-enabled water meter, converting it into a digital, virtual ’smart meter’. It stores consumption and event history records, which can then be used to determine accurate billings and develop tariff models, enforce restrictions, identify back-flow and even detect customer-side leakage. The wireless technology sends a ‘beacon’-type message every two seconds, allowing rapid data transfer and effective drive-by speeds of up to 30mph. The product also features SMART View: a solar-powered, in-house display for residential customers to monitor their own water consumption in several easy to read formats.

Leak noise detectors and monitoring systems among products featured

Fluid Conservation Systems (FCS) will be exhibiting at the Distribution Systems Symposium and Exposition (DSS), September 21-24 in Austin, Texas.

Featured at the FCS booth (#300) will be its Permalog +.  Deployed throughout a utility’s distribution system, Permalog + units attach magnetically to valves and use advanced algorithms to discern the acoustic signature of leaks from background noise.  The units ‘wake up’ and listen during the night when ambient noise is at its lowest.  If leak noise is detected, the unit reports this information via a two-way radio link, along with the general location of the leak, to a mobile unit that can then send a crew to pinpoint and repair the leak.

In addition to the Permalog +, FCS will also feature its Permalog + AMR unit and its new PDA-based Patroller 2 drive-by monitoring unit.  Information on FCS’ full line of water detection equipment will also be available, including the AC Digital noise correlator, Xmic electronic ground microphone and SoundSens multi-point leak noise correlation unit.