News and Articles
Jul 23, 2007
Article
How to drill clay
Why is it that while drilling in clay, the cuttings often swell and constrict the borehole rather than forming a good slurried flow? Unlike drilling in inert materials like rock or sand, many types of clay are reactive and once exposed to water and drilling fluid by reaming, their properties can change considerably. If you’ve experienced ground heaving, inadvertent flows (e.g., frac-out), reamer balling up and/or problems creating slurried flow using bentonite, chances are you’re drilling in clay.
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Jul 19, 2007
News
Herrenknecht S-210 on its way to Sedrun
On Friday, July 6, 2007 and right on schedule at the multifunction section at Faido the Herrenknecht Gripper S-210 started tunnelling its second section in the direction of Sedrun (east tunnel).
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Jul 17, 2007
News
Leaktight recommendations from SMP
A publication last year of a European study of the performance of various pipe systems, respectively pipe materials for municipal sewage systems under special consideration of the ecological range of effect during the service life, caused quite some stir amongst those involved with sewer systems.
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Jul 13, 2007
News
Advances in Underground Pipeline Design, Construction and Management Available
Over 300 projects worldwide assessed in a 400-page book by one of industry's leading authorities
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Jul 12, 2007
Article
GPR ? Finding our underground assets
GIGA was a 2 year, 3 month collaborative project supported by the European Commission’s 5th Framework Research Programme for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development; it was completed in 2003. A team of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) experts, manufacturers and end-users combined to improve the technology used for metallic and non-metallic buried services infrastructure location. Fundamental research and development of existing technology was driven by a comprehensive set of end-user requirements. The technology resulting from GIGA was comprehensively tested under rigorous conditions on a purpose-designed site, and the performance data was analysed and evaluated by the independent team of end-users. Significant performance improvements over the then existing state-of-the art equipment were demonstrated, and areas of investigation for further enhancements were identified.
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Jul 09, 2007
News
New JT3020 packs more punch, creates less noise
The Ditch Witch organization is introducing a horizontal directional drill that builds on the success of its popular Ditch Witch® JT2720 Mach 1 unit.
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Jul 05, 2007
News
HDD Good Practices Guidelines Course scheduled for Seattle
The Northwest Chapter of the North American Society for Trenchless Technology will hold a two- day Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Good Practices Guidelines Course, July 17-18, at the Swedish Cultural Center in Seattle.
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Jul 03, 2007
Article
Are we approaching the universal shield?
For political and ecological reasons, the trenchless or underground construction method has become an essential part of establishing underground infrastructural supply and disposal networks in our cities. In the last decades, the major developments have focused on improving the machine technology with a view to create one machine type that alone is able to excavate the respective underground cavity independent of the geological and hydro-geological limiting conditions. The main focus of the following presentation is one shield machine type that may be seen as the forerunner of a universal shield.
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Jul 02, 2007
News
Record-breaking Robbins TBM demolishes rock at Kárahnjúkar
On June 25, 2007, a Robbins 7.23 m (23.7 ft) Main Beam TBM set its second world record in the 7 to 8 m (23 to 26 ft) size range while boring at Kárahnjúkar. The TBM blew away its previous world record of 92 m (302 ft) by excavating 106.1 m (348.2 ft) in just 24 hours!
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Jun 29, 2007
News
TT-UK's new PE pipe coil transporter
TT-UK, the Grundowinch suppliers, add a universal PE Coil Pipe Transporter to their extensive range of Trenchless Technology products. With this strong and highly manoeuvrable trailer, PE pipe coils with pipe diameters of 180mm SDR11 with a lengths of 100m, can be safely transported and uncoiled. If smaller diameter PE pipe coils are used i.e. 63mm to 125mm, longer lengths or even two coils can be transported at the same time.
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Jun 28, 2007
News
Toilet used as guilt-free rubbish bin
Bizarre items flushed down the toilet are blocking sewage pipes and spoiling beaches.
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Jun 26, 2007
News
IFAT CHINA 2008 - Water is big business
The environmental problems facing China arising from the country´s economic expansion and rapid urbanisation are leading to a surge in demand for water and waste-water treatment technology. The environmental trade fair IFAT CHINA, which takes place from 23 to 25 September 2008 in Shanghai gives international technology suppliers the opportunity to present their services and products in this growth market.
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Jun 22, 2007
Article
Sewer main rehabilitation in Lake Macquarie
Kembla Watertech recently undertook the rehabilitation of a sewer main in environmentally sensitive Lake Macquarie.
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Jun 21, 2007
News
Thames desalination plant to be powered by green energy - plant will run on bio-diesel from plants
Thames Water has confirmed it intends to run the proposed desalination plant in the Thames Estuary entirely on renewable energy.
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Jun 19, 2007
News
New Borealis pipe grade aids long-term water conservation
Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating solutions, has launched BorSafeTM HE3490-LS-H, a new polyethylene (PE) pipe grade for pressure pipes. This new solution expands the durability of PE pipe systems for water distribution by delivering an easy-to-lay response to the tough installation techniques facing installers and utilities today. In addition, it contributes to precious water savings by eliminating leaks and ensuring long-term performance for utilities and consumers. The United Nations calculated that over 2 billion people face water scarcity, making its conservation one of the most urgent global challenges.
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Jun 18, 2007
Article
Combined in-line inspection of pipelines for metal loss and cracks
As pipelines grow in age it is of ever growing importance to provide operators with precise and reliable inspection data in order to perform advanced integrity assessment calculation and optimize maintenance processes. Until recently the inspection of a pipeline regarding metal loss and cracks not only constituted the need for two separate inspection runs but also the use of two separate tools. This paper will introduce a range of advanced in-line inspection tools that incorporate the ability to be used for quantitative metal loss and wall thickness as well as crack inspections. These tools, utilizing ultrasound technology, make use of a new generation of electronics and an entirely new design of sensor carrier to enable metal loss and crack inspection surveys to be performed with a single tool in a single run. The paper will explain the physical principle used, introduce the tool technology, introduce a case study and present the operational advantages to the operator.
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Jun 14, 2007
News
Short in stature - new JT922 long on everything else
The Ditch Witch organization has introduced a powerful new horizontal directional drill that is more maneuverable, easier to operate, and easier to maintain than any other machine in its class.
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Jun 12, 2007
News
Online site registration opens for World Water Monitoring Day 2007
Online site registration is now open for World Water Monitoring Day™ (WWMD) 2007. Held annually from September 18 through October 18, WWMD is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging communities in performing monitoring tests on local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies.
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Jun 08, 2007
Article
Dealing with lost circulation in HDD applications
Lost circulation can result in costly and unnecessary delays for HDD projects, the selection of proper drilling fluid, additives, reamers, and the application of good drilling practices can help the operator achieve success and profitability.
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Jun 06, 2007
News
Supply of TBM for Oztas Co. - Gûrpinar & Firuzkoy Tunnels, Istanbul
Turkish contractors Oztas Co. have signed a contract for the supply of a refurbished LOVAT RME136SE Series 19500 Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machine [TBM]. The TBM will be utilized in the construction of the Gûrpinar & Firuzkoy Tunnels located in Istanbul, Turkey. The TBM will undergo a complete refurbishment at LOVAT’s facilities in Toronto, Canada, including conformity to European “CE” standards.
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Jun 05, 2007
News
Public to have new opportunity for consultation on proposed reservoir - Extended consultation period made possible by amended legislation
Changes to legislation will result in a further period of consultation for people interested in commenting on Thames Water’s proposed reservoir near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
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Jun 05, 2007
News
Insituform BlueTM to rehabilitate 1200 meters of Calgary water main with PolyFlexTM: trenchless method will save valued spruce trees
Insituform Blue, a division of Insituform Technologies, Inc., will renew 1200 meters of a 12-inch water distribution main in Calgary, Canada. The City of Calgary chose Insituform Blue’s trenchless pipe renewal process in an effort to avoid the removal and replacement of a number of spruce trees along a 1200-meter water main. The trenchless project will make it possible to save 149 spruce trees that the city values at $717,000. Traditional “dig and replace” methods would have required cutting down the trees, which are valued not only for their price, but also their environmental significance.
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Jun 04, 2007
Article
Lateral liner wanted: fitted, no crease and tight
Fitting accuracy, flat surface and leaktightness: the latest IKT-Product-Test "Liners for Laterals" shows which liners fulfil the requirements of the network operators. The marks range from "VERY GOOD" to "POOR". Even the best liner, however, is not always free of malfunction.
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May 30, 2007
News
Trenchless Australasia 2008 - Call for Papers - abstract deadline extended
The Call for Papers for Trenchless Australasia 2008 is now open and interested parties are invited to submit an abstract online. All abstracts are due by August 31, so mark this in your diary and start thinking now!
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May 29, 2007
News
Four of seven roadheaders now working on north-south bypass tunnel
Tunnelling on Brisbane’s North-South Bypass Tunnel continues to gather pace with four of seven roadheaders now working on the project.
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