Product category:
Potable water metering and distribution
News Release from: Brinker Technology | Subject: Leak sealing in water pipes
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 October 2006
Platelet Technology success sealing
water leakage
Brinker Technology, an Aberdeen based world leader in innovative technology for leak location and sealing, has achieved another important success using its patented Platelet Technology
Brinker Technology, an Aberdeen based world leader in innovative technology for leak location and sealing has achieved another important success using its patented Platelet Technology Sponsored by a large UK water company, Brinker Technology achieved a very successful field trial using their innovative Platelet Technology
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 28 Jul 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Micro-platelets for detecting small leaks
Brinker Technology has successfully used a Smart:Scotland award to help develop a solution for sealing and detection of hairline cracks and pinholes in pipes in the Oil and Gas Industry
Sealing leaks in a subsea water injection pipeline
The first commercial implementation of Platelet Technology for pipeline leak sealing was in September 2004 on a subsea water injection pipeline on the BP Foinaven field
Platelet Technology takes a radically different approach to pipeline integrity than current methods in that it seals and then locates leaks in a single integrated process.
The technology is based on the natural phenomenon that the body uses to seal cuts.
The technology utilises the fluid flow inside the pipeline to deliver specially designed Platelets to the leak area, and into which the Platelets entrain.
Further reading
ABB helps China water quality improvements
Water quality monitoring equipment manufactured at ABB Stonehouse is being used to help meet the ambitious Chinese plans for improving the quality of its rivers and water supply networks
Turbidity monitors keep Thames Water in the clear
Turbidity monitoring equipment from ABB is helping Thames Water maintain the highest water purity standards at its new borehole extraction site.
The company has also developed three different methods of "tagging" the Platelets to identify the location of the leak.
In the UK alone 3609 million litres of water are lost on a daily basis due to leaks.
Increased pressure has been placed on water organisations as in April 2005 OFWAT (the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales) was awarded new powers to fine water companies who fail to achieve their leakage targets.
By recognizing the potential benefits of new technology, this key player in the water industry requested Brinker Technology to join them in trialing Platelet Technology for them.
The aim of the field trial was to demonstrate that Platelet Technology could seal leaks in water pipelines.
The trials were carried out on a disused 4inch clean water main buried to a depth of approximately 4ft, after leaks typical to those found in the water industry were introduced into the pipeline.
The trial, conducted in July, resulted in repeatable sealing of the leaks and it was concluded by both parties that Platelet Technology has significant potential as a method of leak sealing in the water industry.
Bernie Anson, Chairman and CEO of Brinker Technology is quoted as saying: "We expected a positive result from these trials as our engineering methods prior to implementation are used to optimise the solution for the client, and hence ensure a successful operation.
Underpinning the technology is extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling of pipeline geometry and fluid conditions in conjunction with Finite Element Analysis, and over three years of extensive physical testing of the technique using pressure vessels and flow loops.
Thanks to the success of the trial we look forward to working in the UK water industry in the future and we anticipate others involved in the water industry worldwide to follow their lead".
• Brinker Technology: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
