Development and commercialisation of specialist pipelining technology for the drinking water market
The process is a trenchless pipe renewal technique and has been developed to date by Aqualiner and some of the UK’s leading Water Companies including Severn Trent Water, Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water and Wessex Water.
The business model is to protect the technology (through patents, knowhow, copyright, both existing and new) and exploitation of the technology through globally licensing utility contractors and then selling equipment and pipe lining materials.
Aqualiner’s direct customer is a water utility contractor who is already in possession of a pipe replacement term contract with their customers (Water Companies). It is then a discussion between the contractor and water company over what method to use. Aqualiner will also have an indirect approach to the Water companies involved.
Pipe renewal and renovation not only has a high public profile with the desire to reduce water leaks, but there is a legislative imperative. The UK government through OFWAT defines the Asset Management Programme (AMP) which gives all of the water companies their requirements for water mains renewal and repair. Aqualiner is well situated to take advantage of not only the current round of renewals but also to capitalise on the predicted continuing demand for water pipe renewal and repair.
Having completed the initial live installation with Severn Trent our next key development milestone is to modify our equipment ready to be consistently used by utility contractors. The main objective is to develop commercial lining capability with an expanded pipe diameter range capability (100mm - 300mm), increased lining single shot length (120m) and lining speed.
The process involves insertion of a fabric liner tube, comprised of layers of a composite of comingled glass fibres and polypropylene filaments, into the deteriorated pipe. Polypropylene provides a low cost, chemically inert composite matrix with improved strain at failure and potential for electrocoupling. A heating pig is passed through the inserted liner to deliver hot air to heat the material above the melting temperature of polypropylene (230°C). The molten mixture of glass fibre and polypropylene is then consolidated against the pipe wall by a pressurised silicone rubber inversion hose, quickly cooling to ambient temperature to form a structurally sound glass reinforced plastic pipe, chemically inert with respect to drinking water and strong enough to sustain soil, groundwater and traffic loads as a standalone pipe.
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The process is a trenchless pipe renewal technique and has been developed to date by Aqualiner and some of the UK’s leading Water Companies including Severn Trent Water, Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water and Wessex Water.
The business model is to protect the technology (through patents, knowhow, copyright, both existing and new) and exploitation of the technology through globally licensing utility contractors and then selling equipment and pipe lining materials.
Aqualiner’s direct customer is a water utility contractor who is already in possession of a pipe replacement term contract with their customers (Water Companies). It is then a discussion between the contractor and water company over what method to use. Aqualiner will also have an indirect approach to the Water companies involved.
Pipe renewal and renovation not only has a high public profile with the desire to reduce water leaks, but there is a legislative imperative. The UK government through OFWAT defines the Asset Management Programme (AMP) which gives all of the water companies their requirements for water mains renewal and repair. Aqualiner is well situated to take advantage of not only the current round of renewals but also to capitalise on the predicted continuing demand for water pipe renewal and repair.
Having completed the initial live installation with Severn Trent our next key development milestone is to modify our equipment ready to be consistently used by utility contractors. The main objective is to develop commercial lining capability with an expanded pipe diameter range capability (100mm - 300mm), increased lining single shot length (120m) and lining speed.
The process involves insertion of a fabric liner tube, comprised of layers of a composite of comingled glass fibres and polypropylene filaments, into the deteriorated pipe. Polypropylene provides a low cost, chemically inert composite matrix with improved strain at failure and potential for electrocoupling. A heating pig is passed through the inserted liner to deliver hot air to heat the material above the melting temperature of polypropylene (230°C). The molten mixture of glass fibre and polypropylene is then consolidated against the pipe wall by a pressurised silicone rubber inversion hose, quickly cooling to ambient temperature to form a structurally sound glass reinforced plastic pipe, chemically inert with respect to drinking water and strong enough to sustain soil, groundwater and traffic loads as a standalone pipe.
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