Sidcof - inspection and surveillance of penstocks


The SIDCOF (Innovative Forced Pipe Diagnostic System) project, carried out within the framework of FUI 22, aims to develop innovative NDT methods and tools in three batches allowing:  In situ monitoring of penstocks  A robotic inspection of the inside of the pipes to avoid human intervention in a complex environment  A software platform to process data and help the operator to make decisions This paper will focus on the 1st batch. The work has enabled the development of sensor networks permanently installed directly on the pipe for monitoring installations and monitoring in real time the damage caused by rockfall, landslides and water leaks. Two dedicated systems have been developed and validated under real operating conditions. The first is based on a network of connected autonomous extensometers, each module of which operates wirelessly and is energy independent. It is able to follow the deformations of pipes in risk areas following landslides. This tool greatly simplifies the implementation of sensors and automatically routes the data produced by these sensors to the cloud. A totally IIOT product. The second uses a network of acoustic emission sensors to detect and locate (with an accuracy of the order of a few meters) in real time falling rocks, and the appearance of leaks on the pipe. The tool developed is a dedicated multi-channel system for on-board electronics and processing. The data processed is transferred automatically to the client cloud via the 4G network. The SIDCOF project is led by SETEC with CETIM, SOREA, ETE and Sub C Marine as partners, funded by BPI France, TENERRDIS, INDURA, Région Occitanie, Région Auvergne Rhône Alpes.
