Pipeline Leak Detecting Vultures? 1

[weeeds]

Apparently there was a clip on the Discovery channel showing how vultures are used in detecting leaks in underground piping.
The logic is that vultures have an incredible sensitivity to rotting meat, to the point that they can detect decaying material from a great disctance.
Apparently a piece of rotting meat is sent through a pipeline and then the air space above the line is monitored. The vultures will cirle in the vicinity of the leak in the pipe.
Anyone heard of this?

 

[davefitz]

This would probably explain the pot roast I found in the gate valve last week.

 

[dcasto]

Exxon Canada had a service called TechScent. They had some material they would put in the pipeline and then walk the line with dogs that were trained to make point on the scent of that material.

 

[BigInch]

Might work if you have vultures.. and they're hungry and the wind isn't blowing too strong...

There are statistical leak detection methods that have been proven to work.

BigInch-born in the trenches.

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[scastillo]

All you need is an actual carcass above ground, big enough that the sight and smell overcomes anything else in the area, and soon the vultures will no longer find davefitz's pot roast all that appealing.

 

[rconner]

while not claiming great expertise in the field I think this method should probably NOT be employed in potable water pipelines!!