An Overview of UV Curing for Pipeline Repair

21/
03

As underground pipeline and sewer infrastructure tends to age and deteriorate over time, several repair and replacement methods are used by plumbing contractors to fix them. Out of all these methods, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining is extremely preferred for residential, commercial, as well as municipal applications because it can rehabilitate cracked, leaked, or broken pipes without any digging whatsoever. In this trenchless repair method, a liner is inserted into the existing host pipe, which leads to the creation of a new pipe within the existing one. This simple technique eliminates expensive excavation, and allows contractors to complete the entire process in quick time.  

Use of UV curing for pipeline repair is a more advanced approach to CIPP where ultraviolet (UV) light is used to cure the resin of the liner. As an extension of UV curing, UV CIPP significantly lowers risks and costs, reduces time and resource requirement, and produces better results compared to ambient or thermal heat curing processes.   

How does it Work? 

While using UV curing for CIPP, two entry points are created by the installers in two ends of the damaged pipe.  Special types of UV resin impregnated glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) liners are inserted into the sewer or drain pipe. A bladder is inflated with air is used to place the liner in the right place. This is when the UV lights are activated for curing the resin. As a result of this, a new pipe with high durability and strength is formed.  

Advantages of UV CIPP Technique   

Many contractors are engineers consider UV trenchless technology to be the perfect fit for their pipe rehabilitation projects because of the following advantages.  

  • Homeowners are never happy to see their landscaping unearthed, even if it is for a very short time. In addition to inconvenience and unsightly damage caused by digging, the grading and drainage of the property may suffer because of a bad backfill after digging. Pipe relining via trenchless technology causes minimal ground disturbance compared to traditional methods.  
  • Equipment used in UV CIPP projects is light-weight and portable, and hence, this methodology is ideally suited for areas that are sensitive or hard-to-reach. UV curing supplies required for a project generally include a UV light train, telescopic boom, and a liner, which can be transported easily and quickly by one or two persons without heavy trucks.  
  • In UV CIPP systems, the circumferential GRP lining gets cured by the ultraviolet light in just a few minutes. Therefore, UV curing jobs can be wrapped up within much shorter schedules compared to traditional curing methods that may take hours or even days.  
  • Compared to traditional curing methods, the UV CIPP lining process is capable of creating pipes that are stronger and more durable.  
  • UV curing process requires no heat and digging is eliminated by trenchless technology. Therefore, there is minimum risk of causing damage to surrounding pipes and existing host pipes.  
  • Improves worker safety significantly by reducing the probability of injuries resulting from explosions, electrocutions, cave-ins, falls, etc.  
  • While the original pipe’s inside diameter (ID) is reduced by CIPP relining, the flow capacity is often increased by UV cured pipe liners.  

At Austeck, we proudly offer some of the most efficient UV curing systems in the Australian market. Please contact us today to pick the right one for your upcoming project.