September 2013 Tube Products International
43
products & developments
Trenchless pipe rehabilitation with flexible
high pressure pipelines
Utility providers all over the world are
confronted with deteriorating drinking
water infrastructure. The American
Water Works Association estimates that
investments of more than $500bn are
required just in the USA in the next
20 years to maintain current quality
standards and availability of drinking
water.
Raedlinger Primus Line is addressing
this issue by providing a trenchless
relining technology that can transport
different fluids such as drinking
water, natural gas, crude oil, salt
water, kerosene and even some fluids
containing abrasive components. The
relining hose is produced in nominal
diameters from 150 to 500mm (6" to
20") and can withstand pressures of up
to 62 bar (899 psi).
The hose consists of three different
layers: the inner layer can be selected
for the specific fluid to be transported;
the middle layer consists of a seamless
aramid fabric that functions as a static
load-bearing layer; and the outer layer
is made of wear-resistant polyethylene,
regardless of the transported fluid, and
protects the middle layer during the
installation process. The Raedlinger
Primus Line hose is inserted into the
host pipe from small construction pits
and is self-supporting. The hose is not
attached to the host pipe and an annular
space remains between Raedlinger
Primus Line and the host pipe. Specially
developed connectors on each end
connect the hose to the host pipe with
flanges or welded ends.
Due to the hose’s flexibility, bends of up
to 45° can be negotiated, and installation
lengths of up to 2,000m (6,500ft) in
one single step can be realised. This
means that fewer construction pits are
needed, and additional cost and time
savings can be achieved. Pipelines that
run in difficult to access areas with
long insertion lengths (such as siphon
pipelines) can be rehabilitated with
this trenchless relining method. Since
the hose is self-supporting and is not
glued to the existing pipe, only a rough
cleaning of the host pipe is required.
This results in a saving of time and
energy for the activation of adhesives.
The hose is delivered on a drum that can
hold up to 4,500m (14,500ft). Mobility
costs can be reduced, and the small
footprint makes Raedlinger Primus
Line suitable for high traffic areas. The
connectors, specifically designed for
the Primus Line hose, can be installed
within a short time period.
Raedlinger Primus Line GmbH
–
Germany
