Over time, concrete pipes can suffer from significant blockages due to mineral deposits, roots, and other obstructions that hinder water flow. This was the challenge faced when rock-hard mineral sediments formed extensive blockages in concrete pipelines, severely restricting the flow of combined sewage.
The IBAK MicroGator GT Lite, equipped with advanced ultra-high-pressure water jetting technology, emerged as a powerful and precise solution to restore these pipelines to full operational capacity.
The challenge: rock-hard mineral deposits and root infestation
Concrete pipes, running beneath roads and other non-accessible areas, faced severe obstruction due to natural spring water carrying mineral deposits that settled and hardened in the pipe’s invert.
These rock-like layers had built up over time, blocking nearly 50 per cent of the pipe’s capacity. In some instances, lime deposits had sintered to almost two-thirds of the pipe’s height, creating an extremely hard barrier.
Left unchecked, these deposits would lead to complete pipe closure. Complicating the issue further, roots had infiltrated the pipes, forming a dense, tangled mass that needed to be removed to prevent further sewage backup.
Given the location of these pipes, excavation was not an option, and any solution needed to be both non-invasive and highly effective.
Traditional methods like mechanical cutting alone could not provide a long-term solution without risking damage to the pipe structure.
This is where the MicroGator GT Lite’s advanced water jetting technology proved invaluable.
The solution: ultra-high-pressure water jetting with precision control
The IBAK MicroGator GT Lite employs robot-guided ultra-high-pressure water jetting technology to address these complex challenges.
This method allows for the removal of extensive mineral deposits, roots, and other blockages in a fast, economical, and pipe-friendly manner.
Operating typically at 2500 bar and 26 liters per minute, the system uses among others a rotating falch X-Jet cross jet head that delivers a strong shearing force, breaking apart even the hardest deposits without damaging the pipe wall.
The key to this system’s efficiency lies not only in its power but also in its precision.
The IBAK control system allows operators to set parameters with extreme accuracy, ensuring that the water jet targets only the unwanted deposits, leaving the pipe structure intact.
The ability to adjust the angle of incidence of the nozzles further enhances this precision, focusing the water jets on the areas that require removal while protecting the integrity of the surrounding pipe.
Visual control for enhanced precision
To ensure that the cleaning process is both effective and safe, the IBAK MicroGator GT Lite is equipped with an observation camera system.
This camera provides operators with a clear, real-time view of the work area, allowing them to monitor the progress and make adjustments as necessary.
The visual monitoring ensures that the entire process remains controlled and that all blockages are removed without risking damage to the pipes.
This combination of high-pressure water jetting and live visual control makes the GT Lite a highly effective tool for restoring pipelines.
The advantages of water jetting technology
Compared to traditional mechanical cutting methods, controlled water jetting offers several key advantages for large-scale blockages.
First, it is a more economical option, especially when dealing with extensive deposits of a solid character, such as lime or mineral sediments.
Additionally, water jetting is a highly efficient method for cleaning in areas with limited water availability, as the technology operates with low flow but high performance, maximizing resource use.
The ability to fine-tune the system’s parameters ensures that the cleaning process is not only thorough but also safe for the pipe infrastructure, which is critical when dealing with concrete pipes sintered with lime deposits or roots.
In cases where pipes are heavily obstructed over long distances, water jetting technology proves to be a superior alternative, offering greater efficiency and less risk than mechanical cutting alone.
Water jetting as an optimal solution for pipe maintenance
The IBAK MicroGator GT Lite demonstrates the power of controlled ultra-high-pressure water jetting technology in solving complex pipe blockage issues.
By offering a non-invasive, economical, and highly efficient method of removing rock-hard mineral deposits and root masses, the GT Lite represents a significant advancement in pipeline maintenance technology.
With its precise control system, integrated observation camera for visual monitoring, and the ability to adapt to various blockage types, this technology is a practical and reliable supplement to traditional robotic cutting methods.
In areas where extensive solid deposits pose a threat to pipeline functionality, ultra-high-pressure water jetting offers an optimal solution-combining power, precision, and cost-effectiveness to keep vital infrastructure flowing smoothly.
The MicroGator GT will be presented with the UHP application at the AUSJET trade fair from October 23 to 24, 2024 Melbourne at the IBAK exhibition stand number B26.
For more information, visit ibak-australia.com.au
This article featured in the October edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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