Sound propagation comparison with automated frequency selection for pipe condition assessment

A system for collecting and analyzing acoustic data for condition assessment within a fluid distribution system, comprising:

• a plurality of computing nodes in communication with the fluid distribution system and configured to acquire acoustic data in the fluid distribution system;
• and
• a computing host in communication with the plurality of computing nodes, the computing host programmed to perform steps comprising
• receiving pipe segment criteria for a pipe segment, the pipe segment comprising a length of a pipe between a first computing node and a second computing node of the plurality of computing nodes;
• determining a prediction of frequency content based on the pipe segment criteria;
• measuring an actual speed of sound for the pipe segment between the first computing node and the second computing node;
• and
• comparing the actual speed of sound and a theoretical speed of sound to calculate a predicted pipe degradation for the pipe segment.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing resource, cause the processing resource to perform steps comprising:

• receiving pipe segment criteria for a pipe segment, the pipe segment comprising a length of a pipe between a first computing node and a second computing node;
• determining a prediction of frequency content based on the pipe segment criteria;
• measuring an actual speed of sound for the pipe segment between the first computing node and the second computing node;
• and
• comparing the actual speed of sound and a theoretical speed of sound to calculate a predicted pipe degradation for the pipe segment.