Pipeline renovation systems demonstration day success
Posted: Thursday 18th October 2007
Sdi-unistride Ltd (SDI) and CJ Kelly Associated recently joined forces to present a variety of pipeline renovation systems to engineers from across the Southwest of England.
Held at Exeter racecourse, the seminar comprised of a series of presentations on sewer sealing using gel injection, CIPP lining and Manhole renovation. The presentations were made by Jonathan Hewitt and Richard Webb of SDI.
In all, some 25 delegates attended the event from companies including Edmund Nuttall, Black & Veach, Faber Maunsell, Hyder, Jacobs, May Gurney, Pell Frischmann, and South West Water. SDI is most grateful for the support of Neil Mugford of Faber Maunsell who ensured a suitable list of delegates were invited and attended.
As well as the usual audio-visual presentations, each subject area was accompanied by an outdoor practical demonstration.
SEWER SEALING
In his first presentation Jon Hewitt covered sewer sealing technique using gel injection. SDI has been operating gel sealing as part of its portfolio for many years and has recently been involved in the development of a new, international award winning sealing gel, SewerSeal JF. This new gel offers greater longevity than traditional gels.
After the presentation delegates observed a demonstration which showed the sewer sealing rig working in a simulated leaking sewer. They were able to see, in practice, how the system worked and how the process is controlled and monitored on site.
CIPP LINING
Following a short break, Jon Hewitt went on to cover CIPP lining in some detail including the various liner materials and systems and installation techniques.
As well as the more traditional drag-in and water inversion/hot water cure techniques, the delegates were informed of air inversion, steam cure and ultraviolet light (UV) cure and the different resin types available. The performance and costs of the various resins were explained. The content included polyester, epoxy and silicate resins as well as the impressive UV cured system. The session closed with a brief lecture on ‘the top hat’ technique for repairing defective lateral connections.
The first part of the practical demonstrations included winch installation and air inversion using an inversion drum. Following this there was a demonstration of the UV cured system. CJ Kelly Associates provided a UV cure lining demonstration vehicle, through its associates Prokasro and lining manufacturer Saertex. The UV cure demonstration comprised the inflation and curing of a 10 m long section of liner above ground. The uncured Saertex liner was prevented from curing and over expansion by enclosing it in a factory fitted protective foil and fitted sleeve. This sleeve can also be used to offer additional protection to the liner when being installed and inflated in severely corroded concrete sewers. Once inflated to profile, an ultraviolet light train was passed through the liner curing the liner at 0.55 m per minute.
The success of the UV curing techniques depends on precise control of the exposure rate of the resin impregnated liner to the UV light source. The lining vehicle has a sophisticated yet easy to operate control centre on board which can be operated by one man. All the delegates had the opportunity to see first hand this sophisticated curing control system.
Once the UV light train had completed the curing process, the lamps were turned off and allowed to cool. Once cool, the end seals, UV light train and the liner’s protective inner foil were removed completing the ‘installation’.
The final part of the demonstration was a simulated re-opening of a lateral connection using an impressive robotic cutter made by Prokasro.
MANHOLE REFURBISHMENT
The final part of the lecture presentation covered the various options for manhole rehabilitation including spray applied silica modified cementitious coatings, and repairs/refurbishment using silicate resins. Richard also explained the Permaform system of repairs used in cases of serious structural damage to the manhole.
CPD certificates were issued to those delegates wishing to obtain them, registering their attendance at the event.
The success of the day was confirmed by the feedback forms completed by the delegates at the end of the seminar. Comments included “Very good presentation with practical examples. Credit to the presenters and company which organised it”.
For SDI, Jon Hewitt commented that: “The day had achieved precisely what it was intended to do by bringing various pipeline and manhole rehabilitation systems to the notice of engineers and end users in both an educational and practical way, highlighting not only the benefits of the systems but also their limitations.”
For CJ Kelly Associates, John Kelly, Managing Director, said: “We were very pleased to be invited to provide support and practical demonstration of the Prokasro lining rig with the Saertex UV lining system as part of the SDI technical seminar in Exeter. Expanding the knowledge of professional water industry engineers in this way and broadening their appreciation of what systems are now available to them can only enhance the implementation of pipeline renovation techniques across the growing rehabilitation market.”
