Lanes deploys KrasoSluice for no-dig reline of global aerospace site

Lanes Group engineers have used one of their newest no-dig pipe rehabilitation technologies to reline the entire storm water drainage system at an aerospace service centre.

They used a KrasoSluice in a project to rehabilitate a kilometre of drain lines at United Technologies Aerospace Systems (UTAS) in Marston Green, Birmingham.

Lanes Group’s pollution control partner, Aquasentry, also installed two sophisticated interceptors to prevent the accidental release of pollutants into external water courses.

UTAS provides a broad range of high-technology products and services to the global aerospace market.  The Marston Green site employs more than 300 people servicing fuel systems for aircraft engines.

John Buckley, Facilities Manager at UTAS Marston Green, said:

“This comprehensive reline project reflects our corporate policy of setting the highest standards for environmental protection and sustainability.

“We want to be sure the risk of an accidental release is kept to an absolute minimum. By relining our entire surface water drainage system, we can be sure it is uniformly of the highest standard.”

The team from Lanes Reline Division, based in Manchester, lined 65 sections of pipe with diameters of 100mm, 150mm and 225mm. Liner lengths ranged from 3m to 85m.

Key to the project’s success was Lanes’ ability to deploy the powerful and highly compact KrasoSluice trenchless relining machine.

It uses compressed air to invert, launch and inflate liners up to 300mm in diameter and 200 metres in length. It then delivers heated water, also under pressure, to hot cure the liner.

With the KrasoSluice, there is no need to erect a conventional scaffolding tower that uses height to create the required pressure for curing with water.

That means the lining process is quicker to set up and can be carried out in more restricted spaces, making it ideal for rehabilitating complex pipe systems on industrial sites like UTAS Marston Green.

An Epros drain lining system was also used, mostly on shorter run and smaller diameter pipes.

Lanes Reline Division Project Manager Ged Healy said:

“The KrasoSluice represents a step change in our ability to offer comprehensive no dig pipe rehabilitation solutions on complex industrial sites like this.

“This is a major benefit for companies like UTAS that want to ensure their underground pipe systems are of the highest standard, but want to avoid the severe disruption and cost of conventional approaches which may involve the need for excavation.”

The Aquasentry interceptors monitor surface water at the point it leaves the UTAS drainage system. If any one of a range of chemicals are detected, they close valves, preventing the pollutants from being discharged into water courses. Ged Healy added:

“The ability of Lanes Group to deploy a range of no dig techniques, including relining and robotic pipe cutting, and build in additional services, like Aquasentry, is proving very attractive to our customers.

“They know it means they can benefit from a comprehensive trenchless relining package that delivered long-term solutions in timely and effective way, while keeping disruption to a minimum.”