A new technology has been tested in the Center for Trenchless Technologies

The new technology tested by Stroitelna Mehanizatsia AD at the Technological Center in Kazanlak is Cured-in-place Pipe using UV light. The specialists, together with their partners form Saertex multiCom – Germany, the manufacturer of the materials, held practical training on using the technology.

The technology enables the quick and efficient restoration of old underground pipelines, extending their lifetime by 50 and more years. That is inserting a flexible multi-layer liner, which is factory-impregnated with epoxy resin, inside the old pipeline.  After fixing both ends of the liner hose with special caps, a UV light train connected to the system control board with a cable is inserted through one of them. Air from a compressor keeps the liner adhering to the pipe walls until the resin cures completely under the UV light. On the surface, the operator performs real-time monitoring of the process of curing of the liner thanks to the camera mounted in the UV train. This method is suitable for the renovation of pipelines with diameters form 105 mm to 1500 mm with different profiles: circular, egg-shaped, etc.

For Stroitelna Mehanizatsia AD the proper preliminary training on the work with each individual technology guarantees its successful application in practice. In 2014, before implementing a significant project in Kazakhstan, the Bulgarian specialists performed tests in conditions identical to the real ones, in a test area. That guaranteed the successful implementation of the project, which won the No-Dig 2015 Award of the International Society for Trenchless Technology.

The technology Cured-in-place Pipe using UV light was first applied by Stroitelna Mehanizatsia AD for the rehabilitation of pipelines in Neochim, Dimitrovgrad.