Bubble-triggered built-in liquid metal-based galvanic cell for gas pipeline microleak detection.

Abstract

Due to the significant economic losses and safety issues caused by gas pipeline leaks, timely detection of minor leaks in pipelines is crucial important. Herein, we present an intelligent liquid metal bubble generator (LMBG) chamber capable of converting mechanical leakage signals into real-time electrical feedback through the electrochemical conversion mechanism at the liquid metal interface. The proposed system exploits the intrinsic electric potential difference of a liquid metal (LM) and its oxide. The rupture of LM bubbles at leakage site activates a built-in galvanic cell between the metallic core and the oxide shell, achieving direct mechanoelectrical energy conversion. Notably, the system demonstrates sensitivity with linear voltage-volume (173.46 V·cm^-3) and frequency-flow velocity (0.25 Hz·cm^-1·s) correlations, as well as rapid response characteristics (0.33 s latency). Notably, the exceptional detection resolution for micro-leakages as small as 1.0×10^-3cm³. This achievement in active sensing technology establishes a route for intelligent infrastructure monitoring, particularly providing a possible way for the critical need of leakage detection for gas pipelines.