The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded Western Kentucky University’s Applied Physics Institute and the Institute for Scientific Research, Inc. (ISR) a one-year, $752,423 research and development project to improve the safety of the nation's railways.
The project "Rail Tank Car Leakage Detection System (RLEAKS)" is aimed to develop a system that can detect and locate pinhole leaks in rail car containment vessels and provide alerts to railroad operators and security personnel. Pressurized rail tank cars transport and distribute large volumes of volatile liquids and gases throughout the nation each day, much of which is hazardous and/or flammable.
RLEAKS will be a low-cost, distributed wireless network of acoustic sensors that incorporates intelligent location decision-making to monitor leaks, while minimizing false alarms and remaining non-intrusive to railroad operation.
The award was announced in Somerset by The National Institute for Hometown Security. U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers made the announcement. He was joined by U. S. Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary Charles McQueary, who leads the department’s Science and Technology Directorate.
"We are looking forward to working with ISR on this project to protect critical infrastructure in the United States," said Phillip Womble, director of API and principal investigator of the project. "We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Hal Rogers in developing the National Institute for Hometown Security and allowing us to participate in this program."
The main topics to be addressed in the RLEAKS project include: acoustic sensor adequacy with respect to environment, sensitivity, precision, line-of-sight limitations, power, weight, and volume; high-frequency sampling hardware and software; algorithms for leak spectral analyses and isolation, first order leak detection, false alarm prevention, and leak localization; integrated wireless network capability; and ground control station for data fusion, visualization and storage, as well as wireless network management.
A complete system demonstration to exhibit the capabilities and application of the sensor network will be conducted at the project’s conclusion.
"We are honored to be selected for the award," said Alex Barzilov, associate director of API and co-principal investigator of RLEAKS project. "We are excited to develop and test cutting edge scientific approaches for critical infrastructure protection,"
About the WKU Applied Physics Institute: The Applied Physics Institute of Western Kentucky University has been performing homeland security oriented research and development since its inception in 1994. It has developed and helped to commercialize explosive, chemical agent, and radiological/nuclear detection systems. For information, visit www.wku.edu/API
About the Institute for Scientific Research, Inc.: The Institute for Scientific Research, Inc. (ISR) specializes in research and advanced development, providing multidisciplinary solutions to the leading-edge technology challenges facing its government, military and commercial customers. The organization offers an environment for cultivating fresh ideas and scientific discoveries from among a distinguished staff of scientists, engineers and support personnel. ISR is headquartered in Fairmont, W.Va. For information, visit www.isr.us.
For information, contact Dara Hardin at (270) 781-3859.
• RLEAKS Award Ceremony at The National Institute for Hometown Security, Somerset, KY.
