UV Cured CIPP Pipe Lining

Pipe lining is the rehabilitation and reinforcement of existing pipelines without the need for excavation. Used as part of a multitude of solutions. Examples include rehabilitation of pitch fibre pipework, or in situations that call for reinforcement after damage from problems such as root ingress.

CIPP, or Cured In Place Pipe is the product used for this job. Multiple types exist, allowing us to provide solutions for problems that would be otherwise resolvable without excavation. Ambient temperature CIPP, and heat CIPP usage is described here. CIPP lining uses a flexible tube impregnated with resin. This is used to form a new pipeline within the original host.

CIPP generally has become one of the more preferred methods for pipework rehabilitation. Especially in the case of deteriorated underground sewers and pipes. This is due to its low installation cost, ease and speed of installation. It also minimises ancillary requirements such as traffic re-routing and security.

At the heart of the CIPP system is the resin matrix. Until it is cured by Ultra Violet (UV) Light, it remains in a liquid state within the host material – a glass reinforced tube. UV cured CIPP liners are factory manufactured and have a long shelf life provided they are not exposed to UV light.

A glass fiber reinforced liner is impregnated with polyester or vinylester resin (at the production facility). The liner is pulled into the pipe to be rehabilitated via existing shafts. For large diameters, small construction pits may be required. The liner is then closed, put under pressure and cured with UV light. After curing, the system provides a structural liner comparable to a new pipe.

In the event of groundwater ingress, preliminary sealing is required. The resins must not come into contact with water before curing. Punctual methods or the usage of a preliner prior to insertion of the CIPP is a simple preliminary step in these cases.

• Very high strength with minimal diameter reduction within the host pipe.
• Maintaining high flow capacity. The super smooth liner can in fact increase flow capacity, particularly in brick pipes.
• Thinner, lighter and easier to handle.

The installation technique, with the pre-inspection before curing and a computer controlled lamp; recorded curing process, ensures that quality control is similar to a factory engineered product. The resin encapsulation and lack of water in the curing process practically eliminates the risk of environmental pollution.

The final differentiator from many alternative CIPP products is the installation speed. Manhole to manhole lengths are normally installed within four hour working windows.

Combined, these benefits make UV cured GRP liners particularly suited to applications including:

• Culverts, sewers and drains under transport infrastructure – e.g. roads, railways, airport runways.
• Outfalls, particularly those discharging into sensitive water courses.
• Runs with connections into basements and residential homes (reducing the risk of styrene smells.)
• Sites with short working windows – e.g. transport infrastructure and buildings, factories, distribution centres, retail buildings.
• Large diameter pipe lining and reinforcement, due to the thinner profile and lower weight – e.g. main sewers, large culverts.

We enjoy close working relationships with our liner and plant suppliers. This equates to unrivalled technical support for our customers.

Our longstanding relationships, forged over a decade, with Europe’s leading manufacturers, coupled with high volume consumption, enables us to provide and install high quality liners at competitive prices.

Since procuring our first rig in 2006, we have developed our fleet to provide a range of lorry-mounted and portable trolley-based curing units. As a result, we can make use of the most appropriate equipment for each specific job. Site access can be an inhibiting factor, and we continue to modify and enhance our plant to overcome access issues e.g. we now have the longest light train cable in Europe enabling relatively remote curing. We also own the UK’s most powerful UV system with our Prokasro Professional UV Truck for curing large diameter pipes and culverts up to 2 metres. Use of the truck can half curing speeds.

All senior members of staff including the Directors are manufacturer-trained and the company possesses over 10 years’ experience of successfully using the application. We enjoy close working relationships with our liner and plant suppliers which equates to unrivalled technical support for our customers

Our longstanding relationships forged over a decade with Europe’s leading manufacturers, coupled with high volume consumption, enables us to provide and install high quality liners at competitive prices

Since procuring our first rig in 2006, we have developed our fleet to provide a range of lorry-mounted and portable trolley-based curing units so that we can make use of the most appropriate equipment for each specific job. Site access can be an inhibiting factor, and we continue to modify and enhance our plant to overcome access issues e.g. we now have the longest light train cable in Europe enabling relatively remote curing. We also own the UK’s most powerful UV system with our Prokasro Professional UV Truck for curing large diameter pipes and culverts up to 2 metres. Use of the truck can half curing speeds.