By providing inflow and infiltration (I/I) assessments, conducting inspections at hundreds of maintenance holes, pump stations and sewage treatment plant inlet structures, ISC Services has helped clients minimise their asset degradation and reduce operational asset costs.
Most recently, its B-Tech Connections™, an innovative Pullable Mechanical Connection for HDPE, which has already been recently awarded the NASTT 2022 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award. It is also up for Innovation recognition at No-Dig Down Under, UKSTT and ISTT.
The B-Tech Connections™ have been specifically designed for trenchless technologies, and providing a quick, simple, high strength pipe-to-pipe mechanical connection. B-Tech Connections™ can be used for all pull-in applications including pipe bursting and/or splitting, culvert replacement and micro tunnelling where HDPE is utilised. It can also be used in industries including telecom, electrical, de-water, by-passing, dredging, mining and even Petro-chemical.
The innovation of pipe-to-pipe connection where the ID & OD remain the same, allows for 100 per cent retention of flow capacity while also maintaining a smooth external profile with no external obstructions, perfectly suitable for tight enclosed pipe tracks.
Bentink tells Trenchless Australasia that the B-Tech Connections™ can be pre-fused to any length of pipe and are available in threaded or push together connections that are made of 100 per cent HDPE, allowing them to be the exact specifications and material as the pipe.
“Pre-fusion of B-Tech Connections™ prior to arrival on site reduces labour time required on site for connecting pipes and also reduces the need for specialised equipment or specialised training on site,” he says. “As the B-Tech Connections™ maintain the same external size, stacking of pipes for transport is more efficient and simpler than flanged ends.”
Impressively, the mechanical connections for HDPE pipe are designed retain over 70 per cent normal pull-able strength, while retaining 95 per cent ductility of the pipe and 100 per cent flow capacity. Additionally, the connections feature leak-free O-ring seals and are resistant to corrosion and UV resistance of HDPE. No metallic components!
The innovative design of the B-Tech Connections™ allows the rapid make up of threaded connections with two-to-three rotations, which results in quicker connections in the field. Such connections have been lab tested to hold up to 16,100 kg of pulling force. Likewise, water pressure testing of SDR9 at 12-inches achieved 375psi internal water pressure
For pipes with larger diameter and lengths, the combination of threaded and push together fittings (all-in-one) allows for a 360° rotating connection for increased ease of connections of larger and longer pipes with no need to rotate the entire spool of large and long pipes simply turn the connection.
“Either permanently locked or temporarily installed, connections are water-tight with a broad range of applications in trenchless and non-trenchless applications,” says Bentink.
“Pull-ability of connections exceed 70 per cent of virgin pipe strength while retaining the normal flexibility of HDPE pipe. Connections can be applied to a wide range of pipe sizes and wall thicknesses. Transitions to other pipe materials and connection methods such as Flanges can also be provided to ease with compatibility issues.”
In confined space applications, work crews save time and resources in comparison to when utilising other time-consuming connection techniques of bulky mechanical methods. In the time it takes to make up 1 bolt on a flange, B-Tech can be fully connected.
This improves safety and drastically reduces time spent establishing connections and the equipment required to do so safely in restricted spaces.
While the butt fusion of short segments of pipe is typically difficult and time consuming in confined spaces, the B-Tech Connections™ can be readily supplied in short spools to 914 mm or they can be pre-fused to any length of pipe to produce custom length spools, allowing for quick and easy installation no matter how tight the space.
The long-life span and fast assembly times makes the B-Tech Connections™ method not only cost-effective but efficient for any HDPE projects or applications. Proving that ISC Services is continuing to help develop innovative technologies and solutions within the industry.
For more information visit ISC Services.
This article featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
In addition to being the official publication of the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT) it is also the official media partner of the biggest specialist trenchless technology event in the Southern Hemisphere, No-Dig Down Under.