About
Oscar Scussel is a research fellow at the University of Southampton where he studies and develops vibro-acoustic techniques and data-driven methods for detection and localization of leaks in fluid-filled buried pipelines for the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR). Oscar is an enthusiastic and independent lecturer/researcher who aims to solve new Engineering challenges of Vibration and Acoustics fields through alternative ways providing physical insight which gives a better understanding of the problem allowing to improve the existing technologies.
Research
Research interests
- Vibration and Acoustics
- Signal processing and System Identification
- Wave propagation in buried pipelines
- Applied maths education
Current research
tRansforming Acoustic SensINg for leak detection in trunk mains and water DistRibutiOn Pipelines (RAINDROP) project aims to develop a suite of three innovative acoustic sensing technologies for detecting water leaks in trunk and distribution mains that is able to provide significantly improved detection relative to current capabilities and enable the step change necessary to meet the challenges facing the water industry. Although primarily aimed at the water industry, aligning with the UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) initiative 'Zero Leakage 2050', the work is also relevant to the gas and oil sectors. Leakage from pipes is a major issue in all three sectors, wasting natural resources, resulting in negative environmental and economic impacts, and causing serious safety risks. In the water industry, acoustic methods are the dominant methods for detecting leaks. However, successful application of existing methods requires regular access to the pipes, e.g. via a hydrant, which fundamentally limits the application of these methods. These problems are particularly acute in water trunk mains, in plastic pipes and in long distance oil and gas pipelines.
The technologies we shall develop are:
(i) Monitoring acoustic pressure along an entire pipeline using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) using circumferential on pipe optical fibres
(ii) Coupling the vibration of the pipe wall at discrete locations to the ground surface using fine metal rods, the top of which can be monitored using conventional sensors (e.g. accelerometers or geophones)
(iii) A portable 'geo- camera' to detect and pinpoint leaks from the ground surface.
Publications
Biography
Oscar Scussel is graduated in Maths in 2010 with the award of best student at the University of Western Paraná State - UNIOESTE in Brazil. Obtained a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at UNIOESTE in 2013 and the PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering at São Paulo State University – UNESP in 2017 with collaboration along 12 months at the University of Patras, Greece.