Forward thinking Queensland company Nu Flow Technologies is proud to be able to offer a quality solution to rectify several aspects of water loss, especially for commercial and domestic users.

Known throughout Australia and New Zealand for its proven sewer and stormwater pipe relining system, Nu Flow has now concluded the initial phase of their three-year research and development program covering the relining of potable water pipes.

Using specially formulated non toxic resins, developed in conjunction with two research chemists from the University of Southern Queensland, Nu Flow are now in the final stages of approval testing from the Australian Water Quality Centre in Bolivar, South Australia.

Dr Francisco Cardona and Dr David Rogers from the Toowoomba-based research Polymer Testing Laboratories of University of Southern Queensland have been working to perfect and, as necessary, modify the special resin components of the lining process. Working from the Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites (CEEFC) at the University, these two enthusiastic and renowned polymer chemists carried out a detailed and extensive research and development program during 2006. The prime purpose of this wide ranging data analysis was to produce the highest quality non-toxic resins suitable for drinking water that would surpass all the stringent test criteria demanded by the Australian Standard AS4020.

Article continues below…

Additionally, the secondary consideration was the commercial viability of these formulas, to allow extensive use in relining and repairing many thousands of kilometres of damaged and leaking water pipe laid throughout Australia. With the availability of the extensively tested materials utilised in the relining process, Nu Flow are rapidly expanding their marketing efforts across all areas of Australia and New Zealand.

Amongst the tests that the materials were subjected were tests covering the growth of aquatic micro-organisms, mutagenic activity and extraction of metals.

Of special interest was the test covering the cytotoxic activity of water extract, which like all other the test results showed acceptance after exhaustive tests at 45,000 square millimetres per litre. These tests, based on data compiled overseas have been utilised by Australian Standards as the base data for acceptance to the preferred requirements of this authority.

This new and exciting process will be available very soon. Existing Nu Flow licensees will be initially trained in the process, which amongst other methods employs a hot water cure element.

A specially produced and Australian designed hot water curing machine will be used in the new process. This machine has been developed by an existing established Nu Flow licensee. Compact and efficient, this quality machine has now been tested by Nu Flow Technologies. The company has supported the production of the new machine, which will be a central piece of equipment to assist in the rapid cure time for relining leaking water pipes.

The latest approval increases the effect that Nu Flow will have on saving water across Australia and follows on from the innovative ‘Flo-Thru Packer’, which allows pipes to be relined without shutting off the fluid flow, as well as the award winning lateral connection relining process for T and Y junctions, which have both proven themselves in the ever expanding marketplace.

While the potable water test results are another achievement for Nu Flow, it is just another step in a development program designed to ensure that Nu Flow remains a leader in the small bore pipe relining industry.