Insituform has now installed and proven five out of its six structural pressure pipe lining products in Australia, which will hopefully create greater opportunities for the wider pressure pipe lining market, General Manager Daniel Gamboa said.
Insituform was asked to assist with the rehabilitation of two sections of 300 mm diameter pipe as part of a major recycled water scheme in western Sydney. The scheme involved the innovative reuse of several isolated and abandoned cast iron gas mains along the very busy Woodville Road corridor. This was achieved by a combination of techniques including pipe bursting, insertion, dig and replace, and structural lining.
Given that the two sections of gas main were located under shallow bridge crossings, coupled with the short time frame allowed for night time road closures, and the array of services in the vicinity of the pipe, the situation called for a fast and low impact renewal solution.
The Insituform Thermopipe structural pipe lining system has been successfully used worldwide for over 15 years. The system was specifically designed for the structural rehabilitation of pressure mains, while minimising the diameter loss. The liner is available in 100–300 mm diameter size ranges, with pressure ratings of 12–16 Bar.
The 300 mm liners installed on this project had a 12 bar pressure-rating and a wall thickness of just 5 mm. The smooth and joint free nature of the lining ensures significant reduction in long term hydraulic frictional loss, resulting in improved hydraulic capacity after lining.
Thermopipe is a reinforced polyethylene liner supplied on
200–500 m length spools as a factory folded ‘C’ shape liner. The liner is simply winched through the cleaned host pipe, and reverted back to its circular shape using air and steam. The ends are reinstated using simple flange fittings that are easily coupled up to the existing pipe system using traditional methods. The liner also has AS/NZS 4020:2005 approval for contact with potable water in Australia.
The rehabilitation of the 50 m and 80 m long sections of gas main were completed in two nights on the busy RTA road with each installation taking around five hours. Insituform installed the end flanges at the completion of lining, and the client then completed pressure testing and restoration works. All associated parties were pleased with the speed and ease of installation of the product.
This project represents a further critical step towards the building of a successful Australian resume of pressure pipe lining projects, Mr Gamboa said. It also demonstrates the benefits of different contractors and technologies coming together to deliver the best possible outcome for project and client.
