In alignment with these principles, Aqua Metro identified an opportunity to implement an advanced relining technology, the Quadex Lining System (QLS) featuring GeoKrete Geopolymer, as an innovative, large diameter pipe renewal technology.
With the support of Melbourne Water Corporation (MWC), AquaMetro has licensed the technology from Quadex, a Vortex Company – based in Houston Texas, USA, and partnered with Vortex Company’s leadership team to develop the Quadex Lining System’s (QLS) Australian market presence. The pipe relining system offers unrivaled material, equipment, and finish into the Australian market.
GeoKrete is a geopolymer mortar liner for raw, storm and wastewater infrastructure rehabilitation. For rehabilitation of existing aged assets that have reached, or are nearing end of life, it is an alternative that can provide a far more cost-effective solution than complete replacement. By employing an environmentally friendly trenchless relining technology, Aqua Metro has reduced overall duration on projects, including rehabilitation of existing stormwater pipes, sewer pipes and sewer maintenance hole structures, saved money for the client, avoided disruption to communities and transportation, all the while extending existing infrastructure’s service life an additional 50 years. Innovative Geopolymer lining Technology delivers versatile application methods to avoid costly dig and replace alternatives.
Typical Applications
QLS is typically specified for large diameter pipes, culverts, tunnels, and other infrastructure suffering from corrosion, infiltration/inflow, and other problems that could lead to catastrophic failure. QLS GeoKrete can be applied to any of the host pipe materials, including:
• Corrugated metal
• Concrete
• Brick
• Stone
GeoKrete Geopolymer cures through a process of polycondensation and possesses proven, high early and long-term compressive strength. Additionally, with superior bond strength, GeoKrete liners can be applied in layers and under multiple mobilisations. The chemical composition of GeoKrete Geopolymer makes it inherently resistant to the microbial induced corrosion prevalent in many sewer environments. Geopolymers contain greatly reduced concentrations of calcium hydroxide, commonly found in typical cementitious mortar, furthering the suitability of GeoKrete in low pH environments.
QLS is an extremely versatile system engineered to effectively apply GeoKrete onto a variety of shapes, sizes, and surfaces. For angular structures, such as wet wells, junction boxes, box culverts, or other infrastructure with edges, corners, and obstructions, GeoKrete can be spray-applied and trowel finished to achieve restored structural integrity, elimination of infiltration and corrosion protection.
The equipment design features advanced technology built into the sled, retrieval system, mixer and pump that allows for a controlled rate of retraction and precision spray application using an application head spinning at high revolution.
The GeoKrete Geopolymer has been third-party certified as a reduced carbon footprint solution utilizing industrial by-products for much of its ‘active ingredients’. For it to be considered for Reduced Carbon Footprint (RCF) certification, a carbon footprint assessment compared GeoKrete to the carbon footprint of three baseline products used in trenchless repair systems for structural rehabilitation of pipes.
The carbon footprint was then examined from ‘cradle-to-grave’ including the product life cycle stages specified in Table 2 and 3. The results were evaluated using the Global Climate Change Impact method, which conforms to the draft national LCA standard (LEOS-002). The carbon footprint includes the use of Global Warming Potential values evaluated over 20 years (GWP20), factoring in effects from greenhouse gases and Short Lived Climate Pollutants (e.g., black carbon).
GeoKrete is a proprietary factory blended, material enhanced with a monocrystalline quartz aggregate. It provides corrosion resistant protection in high hydrogen sulfide environments, increases structural integrity, and stops the infiltration of ground water in deteriorated structures. Unlike cementitious liners, which hydrate to harden, the reaction mechanism in GeoKrete is polymerisation that does not create heat (which contributes to cracking) and yields superior strength and chemical resistance. Once it is applied onto the damaged surface, GeoKrete quickly forms into a crystalline structure for higher resistance to acids, lower porosity, and greater surface durability.
The quick cure rate shortens by-pass time and allows flows to be reestablished much quicker than Portland cement-based mortars. GeoKrete is suitable for rehabilitation of existing large diameter pipelines and structures and has significant advantages where microbiologically induced corrosion is a problem. It is applied by low-pressure spraying or spin-cast application process.
Aqua Metro is pleased to be an exhibitor at the upcoming No-Dig Down Under Conference at Sydney Convention Centre in June 2022, and welcome anyone seeking to learn more about Geokrete visit the Aqua Metro at booth 43.
For more information visit: https://aquametro.com.au/