Full Description

A system designed to address the problem of distribution system monitoring is described in this paper. The developed system employs an array of common analytical instrumentation, such as pHand chlorine monitors, coupled with advanced interpretive algorithms in an event monitor toprovide detection/identification-response networks that are capable of enhancing system security,as has been advocated by several Federal research initiatives. Through the use of laboratorytesting, pilot scale testing on pipe loops, and real world beta site deployment, the system has beenshown to be effective in detecting a wide diversity of possible threats. The system has beenchallenged with, and found effective against, a variety of agents including TIMs (toxic industrialmaterials), TICs (toxic industrial compounds), chemical warfare agents, and biological warfarematerials. Other possible more obscure classes of threat agents such as street drugs, homemadetoxins and commercial preparations have also been tested. In addition, the system has beenshown to recognize common accidental intrusions such as antifreeze and sewage.The response of these various agents is not only adequate to detect the presence of acontaminant, but the unique profile of the responses allow for some degree of identification.Through the use of a searchable library of agent profiles the system is capable of providing notonly an alarm but also an identification of the likely cause. The profiles of over 60 of the mostlikely threat agents and many common contaminants have been compiled. A proprietary baselineestimator dramatically and immediately reduces false warnings from regular fluctuations inoperational parameters upon start-up. As time since deployment increases the number of falsepositives is rapidly reduced to near zero by the system's programmed ability to learn what isnormal for a given operation.The rapid detection and identification of breaches of security in the water distributionsystem is crucial in initiating appropriate corrective action. The ability of the described systemto detect incursion on a real time basis and give indications as to the cause could dramaticallyreduce the impact of any such scenario. As the vulnerability of the distribution system becomesmore widely recognized, the deployment of a system such as the one described in this paper will be aninvaluable tool in maintaining the integrity of the nations drinking water supply. Includes 12 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/15/2004 Number of Pages: 20File Size: 1 file , 1.8 MB