Affordable and Wireless Transducer Network to Detect Fouling in Pipes

Localizing fouling in industrial pipes by AI-enhanced ultrasonic means shows promising results. However, the existing methods require large quantities of data measured from multiple locations and thus are either costly due to the number of transducers required or are hampered by readout uncertainties due to reattachment of the sensors. We present a wireless and affordable network of custom-built clamp-on transducers with drive electronics, in which transducers can be used as both transmitters and receivers. The network was used to generate and characterize propagating waves in pipes with and without fouling. The transducers and their driving electronics generate signals with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio in a repeatable manner and are sensitive enough to detect the signal change caused by fouling on a steel pipe.