The search for water leaks is now more efficient, thanks to cosmic rays
Focus
Focus
Category Facet
Custom Facet
Search Results
-
Web Content Article on-date Oct 21, 2020 4:00 PM
Calendar To stay updated with Hera Events Calendar Find out more
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date Jun 20, 2024 6:43 PM
Market opportunities.pdf
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date Jun 19, 2024 12:58 PM
For the fourth consecutive year, we are on the podium of the overall index ranking, which rewards Italian companies that stand out for integrating ESG factors into their governance
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date Jun 19, 2024 12:51 PM
We have confirmed our position as the Italian company that has most fully and consciously integrated sustainability policies into its business strategies. This is proven by the ESG Identity...
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date Jun 19, 2024 11:15 AM
2024-06-19 Press_Hera_ESG.jpg For the fourth consecutive year, the Group is on the podium of the overall index ranking, which rewards Italian companies that stand out for integrating ESG factors...
Comunicati stampa: Hera Spa Price sensitive -
Web Content Article · written-by Lorenzo Senaldi on-date Jun 18, 2024 3:50 PM
Hera's senior management attends the Mediobanca's financial event, where the major Italian companies will have the opportunity to present their business to national and international funds, both...
Tipologia Evento: Price sensitive -
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date Jun 11, 2024 1:21 PM
2024-06-11 The Hera Group, through its subsidiary operating in the natural gas distribution sector, strengthens its presence in the area served centrata This morning, at the Hera Group’s...
Comunicati stampa: Hera Spa M&A Price sensitive -
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 27, 2024 4:26 PM
Shareholder agreements in force as of July 1, 2024 Information extract from 2024-2027 Level I pursuant to article 130 of the Consob Regulation, 23 May 2024 Information extract Level II MODENA...
-
Web Content Article · written-by Mario Egidio on-date May 26, 2024 12:35 PM
Comunicati stampa: Sustainability Research and Development Financial Results Products/Services M&A Shareholders’ meeting -
Web Content Article · written-by Mario Egidio on-date May 26, 2024 12:34 PM
Tipologia DL: Environment The Group Sustainability Investor Energy Governance -
Web Content Article · written-by Mario Egidio on-date May 26, 2024 12:33 PM
Tipologia Web Channel: Environment Hera on TV School Corporate film Highlights Plants Working at Hera Group Awards Social responsibility Investor relations -
Web Content Article · written-by Mario Egidio on-date May 26, 2024 12:32 PM
-
Web Content Article · written-by Mario Egidio on-date May 26, 2024 12:29 PM
Categoria Progetto: Energy Efficiency Innovation Heratech Project Circular Economy Water Project -
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 24, 2024 12:30 PM
SI Page update 6 June 2024 NO No Sinistra
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 21, 2024 1:30 PM
SI Page update on 15 May 2024 NO No Sinistra
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 15, 2024 10:42 PM
SI Page update on 15 May 2024 NO No Sinistra
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 15, 2024 9:49 PM
SI Page update on 15 May 2024 NO No Sinistra
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 15, 2024 2:51 PM
SI Page update on 27 June 2024 NO No Sinistra
-
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 15, 2024 11:00 AM
2024-05-15 Kindly note that as of today the minutes of the Shareholders Meeting held on 30 April 2024, as well as the articles of association containing the amendments approved by the...
Comunicati stampa: Shareholders’ meeting Price sensitive Hera Spa -
Web Content Article · written-by LUCIA ALGISI on-date May 15, 2024 10:22 AM
Through its subsidiary Inrete Distribuzione Energia, the Group was awarded the tender for the gas distribution plants and network serving the municipality of Argenta in Ferrara area
Comunicati stampa: Price sensitive M&A Hera Spa
Asset Publisher
Hera continues experimentation of the innovative, fast and low-cost contactless system that uses space technology to detect water leaks in the network more quickly and productively
So far, the method used to find leaks in the water mains that run under our streets has been acoustic detection: technicians walk the kilometres of asphalt above the mains and use special devices to locate leakage points.
Now, however, thanks to a system that uses cosmic rays, detection can also be carried out while following the network path in a car, thus proving faster and more profitable.
Cosmic rays: what are they and how can they be used?
Cosmic rays are an innovative method for water leak detection, based on the analysis of neutrons derived from secondary cosmic rays. It follows the same principle used to test whether there is water on Mars, but it can have different applications; for example, it is used in agriculture in the US for targeted irrigation.
In short, this technology exploits non-damaging particles, the neutrons, from space. These continuously impact Earth, generating collisions between secondary beams, the energy of which decreases according to the material that is passed through. In particular, hydrogen in water interacts with neutrons by slowing them down or absorbing them. The amount of water in the ground can therefore be assessed by monitoring neutrons in the air: ground where water is present in a higher percentage will have a greater moderating/absorbing effect on cosmic rays than a drier area.
By analysing the concentration of free cosmic rays, the presence of a water leak can be determined quickly and accurately, saving considerable time compared to traditional methods of investigation. In fact, this system can control a considerably larger network area, because it can travel on any vehicle on which it is mounted.
The search can be carried out by real-time identification, i.e. simply by the passage of the device over the tube and immediate verification of the leakage as soon as the sensor signals a decrease in the number of neutrons, or by deferred search, when the sensor placed on a moving vehicle passes over the area several times and then indicates the wettest spots.
The operator will no longer need to walk the entire water network with the geophone, but can go directly to the points identified on the map.
Experimentation and results
Together with the Department of Nuclear Physics at the University of Padua, we have developed a device that, mounted on a car, allows operators to travel along the network and monitor the concentration of neutrons on the road surface.
The vehicle moves at a speed of 40-50 km/h along the road under which the water network runs and, using cosmic ray analysis, the levels of detected neutrons are shown on a display. When the concentration drops, it is a sign that the neutrons have been retained under the soil by a cluster of water. When this happens, it means that there may be a water leak in that very spot, underground, and technicians can promptly intervene for repairs.
The testing of this technology, which we have been conducting since 2021, has confirmed the scientific soundness of the method: out of several thousand kilometres investigated, the same number of ruptures were found as with the traditional acoustic method, but with the advantage that the cosmic ray method is more productive, since the operator moves around in a car rather than on foot.
With a network of some 30,000 kilometres to check, having this tool allows us to make great strides. In addition, cosmic rays are sensitive to even modest leaks, such as those from pipe joints, which are more difficult to detect accurately.
This technology, which we have implemented thanks to a partnership with the start-up Cosmic and the team at Neptune Srl, is based on an isotope of lithium, lithium-6, which is the element that allows us to detect neutrons. We will continue to use it alongside the classic acoustic method, to locate all possible leaks and increase the level of effectiveness of interventions.
Search Bar
Tag Facet
Search Results
Asset Publisher