Leak Detection in Pipelines

Water pipelines cover long distances and are often not easily accessible. Quickly detecting leaks when they occur is therefore a challenge.

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) technologies, particularly Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), can be used for comprehensive pipeline monitoring, including the detection of leaks through changes in acoustic signals, temperature anomalies, and strain. These techniques are not inherently quantum, however, they could potentially be improved by using e.g. single-photon sources and quantum protocols.

Improving the leak detection in pipelines can reduce water loss by enabling faster interventions and repairs.