From the magazine, Recommended

Versatility key for kwik-ZIP

Established in 2000, kwik-ZIP’s spacers and centralisers have been developed to solve support, grading and centralisation challenges in the trenchless and pipeline, vertical production drilling and ground engineering industries.

kwik-ZIP Spacers are designed for many industry sectors including production well drilling, trenchless pipeline, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and the general civil and construction markets. Key to the success of the business is the versatility of the product range, thereby enabling the products to be utilised across a wide variety of applications.

Standing proudly as the only Australian designed and owned centraliser and spacer system available on the market, the business has recently focused on establishing growth and diversification through export sales to the US, Asia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Europe. In these locations, kwik-ZIP’s expertise, responsive customer service, cost-effectiveness, innovative range of products and applicability across multiple international industries has driven consistent demand.

Industry recognition

kwik-ZIP spacers are accredited by a number of industry agencies including:

  • Water Services Association of Australia – HDX spacers meet Product Specification PS-324 Casing Spacers
  • South-East Queensland Water Supply and Sewerage Design and Construction Code – HDX and HD spacers included on the Accepted Infrastructure Products and Materials (IPAM) list
  • Melbourne Retail Water Agencies (MRWA) – HDX and HD spacers are included on the MRWA Approved Products list for the group’s three water utilities, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water and City West Water.

For standard pipe-in-pipe applications such as sliplining and cased crossings for all medium to heavy weight pipe materials, the product’s design enables it to be used on many different pipe profiles, within rough or smooth surfaces, open bores, pipe bundled arrangements and much more.

Highlighting the product’s ability to handle different pipe profiles, kwik-ZIP HD-50 and HDX-38 spacers were used to facilitate the sliplining of new semi-Elliptical FRP liner pipe around curves into an existing concrete semi-elliptical pipe for a sewer replacement project in Los Angeles.

The different pipe sizes used in the project required the use of the two kwik-ZIP models – one of kwik-ZIP’s advantages is the provision of flexibility of solutions, which can meet a wide range of project requirements.

kwik-ZIP’s HD spacers are well suited for use in environments with harsh surfaces, with the curved bow design allowing them to be easily pulled or pushed over rough ground surfaces. The unique design also enables the spacers to adapt to any shape and provide an all-round clearance and protection for pipe bundles, regardless of size.

Construction and features

Made from kwik-ZIP’s modified Acetal (POM) engineering thermoplastic blend with high flexural strength, its spacers and centralisers feature high temperature resistance, a low coefficient of friction, abrasion resistance and outstanding chemical resistance. Integrated rubber grip pads located under collars prevent slippage and there’s no requirement to pre-wrap pipe.

A load sharing suspension system allows heavy loads to be shared across multiple runners, reducing point loading and increasing the overall load capacity of the spacer. The ability to combine different runner heights in the same spacer ring assists in borehole grade correction.

Larger diameters are also accommodated by the system, adapting to a larger pipe size by joining additional segments. There is an advantage with easy installation – HD and HDX models only require a flat blade screwdriver.

This article was featured in the September edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet, or mobile device, click here.

For more information visit the kwik-ZIP website.

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