Global manufacturer IMPREG has become one of the leading suppliers of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners in Australia.
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Trenchless Australasia has teamed up with Australian Tenders to bring readers the latest trenchless tenders.
Interflow celebrates 85 years
Throughout its history, Interflow has pioneered technologies and renewal methods that have been well received for their innovation.
The company was founded in 1936 by Harold ‘Bill’ Weaver, whose mission it was to support the growth of budding communities along the east coast of Australia.
Weaver and his original team at Interflow constructed water, sewerage and drainage systems for developing towns, earning him a reputation as a change maker.
His ability to identify gaps in the market and develop services to meet the needs of his customers allowed him to expand the company’s operations across the country.
Since the 30s, Interflow has been generation-led and family owned, with leadership handed down from father to son now over three generations
From proactive asset management to emergency repairs, the company is dedicated to developing bespoke solutions that satisfy its customers’ needs: robust, sustainable pipeline infrastructure that will service the growing requirements of the community for generations to come.
As early as the 1990s, interflow pioneered the use of trenchless technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs and minimise impact to the environment and community.
In 1991 – 30 years ago – the company signed its first 20-year exclusivity deal with partners in innovation Rib Loc.
Together, the companies provided hundreds of local councils and water authorities with industry-leading pipeline infrastructure services, restoring assets for an expected period of 50 years.
The companies continue to share a working relationship today.
Today, managing director and Bill Weaver’s grandson, Geoff Weaver, is responsible for the company’s operations, establishing an international foothold in New Zealand, and negotiating two twenty-year exclusive Australasian licenses for spirally wound rehabilitation products.
At 85 years, Interflow is Australia’s largest provider of Trenchless pipeline solutions, establishing itself as the preferred delivery partner within Australian markets.
Geoff Weaver said the company’s ongoing success has been guided by the core values laid out by his grandfather.
“My grandfather’s ethos was simple. He was committed to challenging the status quo and finding new and better ways to do things,” he said.
“Each generation of leadership has been responsible for refining these methods and developing new technologies to further improve the experience of our customers and communities.”
Interflow now employs over 600 people across Australasia, and the company continues to expand the range of services it provides.
“As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we look forward to the next 85 years of supporting our customers and uplifting communities with pipeline infrastructure solutions for generations to come,” Weaver added.
For more information visit the Interflow website.
Baker Hughes, Primus Line partner up
Baker Hughes and Primus Line are collaborating on non-metallic composite pipe applications to rehabilitate and repurpose existing pipelines.
Intelligent technologies: the future in pipeline rehabilitation
Wilmot Pipelining is now the official Australian supplier of Brandenburger – a global pioneer in UV cured-in-place lining products.
Ahead of the curve
The team at Aussie Trenchless is passionate about progressing future infrastructure opportunities and accomplishing superior outcomes. Headquartered in New South Wales, Director Chris Meredith and the team are committed to pioneering state-of-the-art solutions and furthering businesses in the trenchless industry.
Founded in 2014, the company offers a range of unique products in Australia and internationally. Mr Meredith is something of an industry mogul, with 40 years in utilities and having pioneered the development of several well-known rehabilitation methods through decades of contracting.
Throughout his years in the industry, Mr Meredith has seen significant growth in the implementation of trenchless solutions in Australia and abroad. He and his team offer practical advice to infrastructure owners and contractors on a variety of underground pipeline rehabilitation techniques.
Importantly, they offer hands-on service for industry contractors backed by years of expertise. They have developed multiple complementary technologies for underground service installation.
PST
Pipe segment technology (PST) is one solution for pipe rehabilitation that is easy to build and fast to install. It is specifically designed for traversable trunk sewers and stormwater culverts.
Pipe lining technologies have the capacity to substantially increase the service life of pipes, and this method is ideal for man entry pipeline rehabilitation for gravity sewer mains. Installation can take place in low flow conditions, and the technology has low capital costs and a small site footprint.
PST lining panels are made of polypropylene material, providing a smooth surface with effective hydraulic performance capacities. Significantly, PST is semi-transparent, mitigating risk and removing guesswork during the completion of gap grouting works.
PST panels are lightweight, easy to install, and ideal for positioning in tight locations, with the product suitable for all pipe types, including round, ovoid and box culverts. Segment pipe rehabilitation technologies are recommended for sewers with complicated and nonstandard shapes.
Lining segments reflect the shape of the host pipe and therefore can be both circular and non-circular. Lining of access chambers can also be achieved using PST segments.
The ring stiffness of PST can be enhanced or altered by attaching circumferential bars, making the product suitable for installing in deep sewers. PST is a nimble segmental lining system with a grouted annulus gap, versatile in tight access locations.
A static design is completed to verify conformance of the PST lining structure in these types of applications. The technology does not require advanced installation machinery and has been used to rehabilitate deteriorated stormwater and sewer culverts.
For more information visit the Aussie Trenchless website.
Breakthrough technology for breaking down drain blockages
Drainchem is the go-to source for drain maintenance products and solutions.
The leading supplier of drain and pipe maintenance and testing equipment in Australasia, Drainchem has been equipping the service and repair industry for more than 25 years.
Removing calcified grease, mineral deposits and tree roots from drains can be a challenge, so having the proper tools in your arsenal is essential for ensuring the wellbeing of your drains, removing the need for open trench rehabilitation and protecting against repeat passes.
Drainchem is now distributing the latest breakthrough technology for the sewer industry: the Warthog WGR Switcher.
A product of innovation, it enables the operator to switch between two distinct tool functions without the need for adjustment.
With two sets of jetting angles in one tool, the Warthog Switcher eliminates the need for changing nozzles.
One set of jet angles provides efficient pulling power, while the other setting is angled for highly effective cleaning.
The operator can seamlessly switch between pulling or cleaning while still in the line.
The Warthog Switcher economises on time and resources by eliminating the extra runs needed to swap between nozzles.
This means an operator can run more jobs with only one tank of water. Switching to pulling jets maximises thrust power, while cleaning jets are suitable for clearing debris and cutting roots.
Using the Switcher is nearly 50 per cent faster and 35 per cent more water economical than using a traditional rotational or fixed nozzle combination.
Case study
One client was recently faced with the challenge of a 50-year build-up of calcium deposit in PVC municipal pipe.
The line travelled through a railway tunnel, necessitating traffic closure and substantial preparation work. Initial work progressed at a maximum of 9 m per day with minimal removal of the deposits from the pipe wall.
The client approached an official Warthog distributor and was recommended a Warthog Switcher nozzle.
Because the Switcher contains two independent sets of jet angles, the full power of the water from the pump could be directed against the layers of deposit.
Hard-hitting angled jets broke through the material and directed water between the deposits and the pipe wall, pulling it down in sheets.
In the cleaning mode, no water is wasted for pulling that is not needed. A repeat engagement of the pulling jet angles created a flow that removed debris efficiently down the line.
The Warthog Switcher removed the hard deposits completely at a rate of 175 m per day: a significant productivity improvement over the previous method.
Not only did it do so more effectively – it reduced the time taken to clear the deposits, saving on fuel, labour and disruption to traffic.
“I am impressed by the Switcher nozzle and its performance; everyone should have such a tool on their truck,” says client Christian Sørensen.
“Our company continues to use the Switcher whenever confronted by difficult obstacles, and success is guaranteed.”
For more information visit the Drainchem website.