Leak detection: Indispensable for heating and cooling networks __

Global water scarcity, climate change, and energy efficiency are defining issues worldwide. Conserving natural resources has long been a general consensus. However, this applies not only to fossil fuels and forests, but also to water - nothing should be wasted. Modern leak detection systems in district and local heating networks as well as in cooling networks are therefore indispensable today and are mandatory for operating licences in Germany.

State-of-the-art leak detection systems enable significant water, energy, and cost savings. They make a crucial contribution to tackling the water crisis, which affects both developed and developing countries.

Leak detection systems as a solution

Modern leak detection systems use advanced technologies to identify leaks in water distribution networks. They provide a proactive approach, detecting leaks early to prevent significant water losses. These systems play a crucial role in reducing water consumption, promoting energy efficiency, and optimising resource use.

The advantages:

• Costs: Early detection and repair of leaks help companies and households save significantly on operating costs. Undetected leaks lead to ongoing water and energy losses, which are reflected directly in bills. Early leak detection reduces these losses and can provide noticeable savings.
• Efficiency: Leak detection systems increase the efficiency of water distribution and power transfer systems. By detecting leaks early, they enable timely repairs, which reduces the waste of resources, such as heat loss from district heating, and improves the overall efficiency of the systems.
• Safety: By detecting potential leaks at an early stage, these systems make a significant contribution to preventing water damage and the resulting dangers to the building fabric and residents. This significantly increases the safety of people, buildings, and facilities.
• Sustainability: Leak detection systems support sustainable water management and energy consumption. By significantly minimising leaks, they contribute to the conservation of natural resources and support environmental goals such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Water conservation: Leak detection protects water resources by preventing waste and helps safeguard the environment by reducing the risk of soil and water contamination.
• Infrastructure protection: Undetected leaks can cause significant damage, leading to rising repair costs and business interruptions. Leak detection systems prevent such scenarios.

Implementing these systems is not only a step towards greater sustainability, but also offers economic benefits, as the operating and maintenance costs in cooling, local heating, and district heating networks are significantly reduced. Leak detection is therefore a fundamental economic factor and a technology for safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.

Detect leaks immediately and respond without delay

The importance of leak detection can be summed up in three key aspects: safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental protection.

Modern leak detection systems, especially those using advanced sensor technology, play a decisive role in achieving these goals. Continuous monitoring and real-time alerts enable an immediate response to potential problems. By detecting leaks early, piping system operators can minimise damage and increase safety. The risk of water loss, financial costs, and environmental harm are significantly reduced. Prompt repairs not only maintain operational continuity but also prevent long-term damage to infrastructure and the surrounding environment.

Remote monitoring and alarms

Thanks to digital leak monitoring, modern leak detection systems also enable remote monitoring. This allows water or energy systems to be monitored anytime and anywhere. Real-time alerts are sent via mobile applications or email notifications when a leak is detected. This proactive approach makes it possible to act immediately and prevent further water or energy loss.

Types of leak detection systems

Traditionally, visual inspections, acoustic detections, and dye testing methods have been used to locate leaks. However, these methods have their limitations in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and the ability to identify leaks in large or complex networks. Today, sensor technologies based on various principles are gaining ground.

• Acoustic sensors that detect sounds from leaks.
• Pressure sensors that detect changes in system pressure.
• Humidity sensors that identify unexpected humidity levels.

Each of these technologies has its advantages depending on the use case and network. There is also the possibility of combining sensor data and intelligent analysis methods. This makes modern leak detection systems particularly effective.

Why sensors are the preferred choice

Sensor-based leak detection has become established in local and district heating networks, as well as other supply networks, because it operates quickly, accurately, and reliably. It helps operators to detect leaks at an early stage, before high energy losses, consequential damage, or downtime occur.

• Precision: Sensors can locate leaks with high accuracy. They minimise extensive and expensive excavations to pinpoint the source.
• Real-time monitoring: Modern sensor technologies provide real-time data on the condition of the piping system. This allows operators to react immediately to fix leaks before they cause major problems.
• Predictive analytics: The data collected through sensors can be analysed to identify patterns that indicate potential vulnerabilities in the system. This allows for proactive maintenance and prevents future leaks.
• Cost reduction: Early detection and repair of leaks can save significant costs due to water loss, energy waste, and infrastructure damage. 
• Environmental protection: Sensor-based systems help to optimise water consumption and minimise water losses, which directly contributes to the protection of water resources.
  
  

In summary, sensors provide a solid foundation for data-driven maintenance, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure economical, sustainable operation. Without this sensor technology, reliable and continuous leak detection in complex local and district heating networks would be virtually impossible.

Material and system design: Basis for precise leak detection

The choice of pipe material has a major impact on the accuracy of leak detection. In modern heating and cooling networks, corrosion-free plastic systems are increasingly being used, providing a stable foundation for monitoring the network:

• Measurement stability: They retain their hydraulic and thermal properties for many years. This means that measured values such as pressure or temperature can be reliably evaluated.
• Insulation: Factory insulation (e.g. PUR foam with outer jacket) and a diffusion-tight design reduce heat loss and prevent oxygen ingress, protecting pumps and valves.
• Early detection: When combined with sensor technology, deviations such as pressure drops, moisture ingress, or local heat losses can be detected early and precisely localised.
  

These systems are widely used in energy-efficient local and district heating networks to detect leaks more quickly, avoid downtime, and reduce operating costs over the long term.

Leak detection with aquatherm

Building on these principles, aquatherm develops plastic pipe systems for district heating, local heating, and cooling networks, including aquatherm energy (pre-insulated pipes for heat distribution) and aquatherm blue (pipe system for closed heating and cooling circuits). These systems are designed to allow continuous monitoring of the network, with early reporting of deviations and rapid localisation of leaks in the event of a malfunction. This approach enables predictable, economical maintenance rather than unplanned downtime. 

Conclusion: Leak detection protects resources and operational safety

The growing global awareness of the need to protect natural resources, especially water, presents a major challenge: minimising water losses from leaks in all supply systems. For operators of district heating, local heating, and cooling networks, leak detection is an essential part of safe and reliable network operation. It is not only about improving efficiency and reducing costs, but also making a decisive contribution to environmental protection and sustainability. Modern leak detection systems enable early leak detection and rapid repairs of leaks, reducing losses, avoiding downtime, and ensuring the integrity of the infrastructure.

Leak detection is an important building block towards a more sustainable future, where every resource is valued and protected. The continuous development and adaptation of these technologies to the specific requirements of different application areas will remain vital in optimising water consumption, improving the efficiency of energy transmission systems, and promoting responsible use of our natural resources.

Our products demonstrate how technical reliability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability can be combined in specific pipe systems – find out more now!