Extending the Life of Critical Pipelines

Advanced pipe cleaning services and technologies help remove corrosion, tubercles, manganese and other deposits from pipe walls.

Well-maintained pipe infrastructure helps ensure networks are operating in compliance with water quality regulations and at optimum rates of flow and pressure. Failure to invest in the upkeep of networks can lead to extra costs in pumping and pipe replacement, increased customer complaints, raised risk of public health and environmental incidents and regulatory failure.

Aquam equipment is used to treat an 8” diameter water main.

Aquam HTC offers advanced pipe cleaning services and technologies to remove corrosion, tubercles, manganese and other deposits from pipe walls, prolonging the life of existing assets. The systems can be used on pipe diameters ranging from 75 mm to over a meter in water, wastewater, commercial and industrial applications.

The company’s Whirlwind™ system is a new process to remove tubercles and other deposits from the internal pipe walls of potable water mains. Tubercles form as the result of corrosion inside steel and cast water mains and consist of layers of corrosion product (rust) building up over time to form lumps and mounds over local areas of metal loss. Tubercles can severely reduce the internal bore of pipes, leading to reduced flow and a necessary increase in pumping pressure to maintain a supply of water through the pipe.

A hydrant line that should be 6” but is down to approximately 2” creates a hazard for the fire department should they need to hook to this hydrant.

The Whirlwind method uses two diesel engines to power the blowers, producing sufficient air power to generate a turbulent airflow through the pipe work. The blowers can be operated individually or in parallel to produce a turbulent air flow under pressure in different diameter pipelines. The method uses large quantities of water to flush away loosened tubercle debris from inside the pipe and the dirty wastewater is dumped to surface drains.

Additional benefits to the Whirlwind method include: reaches lengths of up to 1 km in a single operation; can be used on diameters in the 75-300 mm (3-12 inch) range; negates need for wastewater transport and discharge; low-pressure operation; no exposed rotating parts; can be used for mains with variable diameter and 90-degree bends; and offers a dry, clean host for onward rehabilitation. WW

Aquam works with water utilities and cities around the world to rehab their water pipelines through various repair programs. To learn more, visit aquamcorp.com.