Distributed Temperature Sensing för kontroll av inläckage i spillvattenledningar

Sammanfattning: Infiltration and inflow (I/I) are common problems in the foul sewer system. A method to detect I/I that is not commonly used in Sweden is DTS, Distributed Temperature Sensing. DTS is based on continuous measurements of temperature over a predetermined distance in the sewer system. The I/I is detected as temperature differences in the temperature data that is registered in the sewer system. The measurements often take place over a couple of weeks or months in the sewer system. The aim of this project was to review previous studies where DTS was used to detect I/I in foul sewers.  Data from a wastewater treatment plant in Umeå together with meteorological data were analysed to be able to visualize the problem of I/I and then suggest how DTS can be applied in Sweden. Both automated and visual analyses was performed to find if there were any relationships between wastewater temperature, wastewater flow and precipitation.   The outcome was that it is possible to apply DTS in the foul sewages to detect I/I. DTS seemed to be able to detect I/I in all types of sewage material, however it is dependent on that the I/I temperature differs from the temperature of the foul sewage water. It is an expensive technique but if it is meant to be used many times to analyse bigger areas it can be worth the costs. If larger areas are to be investigated, the costs for DTS and current methods are approximately the same.  At the wastewater treatment plant in Umeå, a slight relationship between wastewater temperature, wastewater flow and precipitation could be detected. The degree of dilution was calculated to 1,34 which means that about 25% of the sewage water is I/I. The conclusion from this was that I/I exists in the foul sewers in Umeå. The leakage points could not be located with this analysis. DTS could be a possible method to detect the leakage points of I/I in foul sewers. Unlike smoke tests, colouring and video-inspection of the sewers, DTS might be able to detect smaller leakage points.