The water industry has been searching for renewal solutions specifically optimised for pressure pipelines. Pipeline infrastructure specialist, Interflow, shares how it developed a suite of sustainable renewal solutions to address this growing need.
When it comes to ageing water infrastructure, pressure pipes have traditionally been excavated for repair or replacement. This has disrupted communities and increased costs and time scales.
As corrosion from aggressive soils attacks underground pipes, a trenchless renewal option becomes increasingly attractive.
“Proactive trenchless renewals are one of the keys to defending our critical water and wastewater services in a sustainable and cost-effective way,” said Will Zillmann, Interflow’s National Product Manager.
Comprehensive renewal solutions should not just fix a specific problem, but should reset the lifespan of the pipeline. They should essentially perform as a new product.
“Our objective was to build a suitable suite of proven solutions that enable us to match the right product or approach to the pressure pipeline’s condition, material, size and location,” said Mr Zillmann.
At the core of Interflow’s suite of solutions is a polyethylene liner technology known as Titeflow.
It’s a structural liner that has its diameter reduced with a die during installation, so it can be drawn into the host pipe. Once inside, it expands again to press against the host walls, creating a new pipe within the existing pipeline.
As a lining technology, it fits within the ISO classifications for trenchless solutions, primarily at Class A (can survive failure of host pipe and is a fully structural solution).
It’s a solution that balances performance, safety and environmental impact. As the triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic impacts becomes increasingly important to water authorities and government, sustainable pipeline renewal methods will become the norm, said Mr Zillmann.
How Interflow proved its suite of solutions
Interflow’s purpose is to improve lives, which extends to the communities and environments they operate within. This has led them on a journey to find, assess and develop renewal solutions that are sustainable and support the needs of the industry, customers and their communities.
On this journey, and to ensure the trenchless solutions do what they promise, Interflow ran an exhaustive and ongoing research project. Through such research projects, and by working closely with customers, Interflow has been able to push the boundaries of common approaches like slip lining and large diameter die-reduction lining.
“For example, we’ve had success renewing longer lengths of water main using both of these technologies by thinking differently about how we store, string out and weld pipe sections, and how we facilitate insertion,” Mr Zillmann said.
“We can now offer renewal options for pressure pipes in varying condition states and covering a large range of sizes and materials.”
“Our approach to renewal opportunities has always been to be solution-agnostic and develop an optimal methodology based on project-specific network capacity needs, pipe condition and material, internal diameter, access constraints, budget and community needs.”
To learn more, visit interflow.com.au
