A super sonic device for detecting blockages gets £650,000 grant (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

A super sonic device for detecting blockages gets £650,000 grant

6:00am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

The University of Bradford has secured £650,000 for a project that uses sonic waves to detect blockages in sewer pipe systems.

Professors Kirill Horoshenkov and Simon Tait’s system mimics the actions of a bat and is said to be an efficient and cost-effective way of pinpointing flaws and blockages in sewer pipes.

The system sends sonic waves through sewer pipes to detect problems and is said to be a unique and highly effective method.

Working alongside Nick Hawkins and Richard Long, of Acoustic Sensing Technology, the university team have set up a company which aims to manufacture SewerBatt.

Mr Horoshenkov, professor of acoustics at the university, said: “The idea is to generate sound at one end of the pipe and use analysis techniques to examine its condition.

“In a way, the system is not dissimilar to that adopted by bats and dolphins in terms of the acoustic signals we adopt, system training and classification methods.”

The £650,000 has come from the North West Fund for Energy and Environmental.

Mr Hawkins said: “It has been a pleasure working with the North West Fund and CT Investment Partners and we are delighted to have them on board.

“The funding will enable us to refine our existing product and bring more products to market over the next few years in acoustic, water and other related fields.”

Mr Hawkins and Mr Long have been working closely with the university since June last year.

Sewerbatt will be sold to water companies and contractors across the world. The company opened its new office in Cheshire on Monday.

The North West Fund for Energy and Environmental is part of the North West Fund, which is financed jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.