Water & Wastewater Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1016624
28 | SEPTEMBER 2018 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk Innovation Zone Reducing supply interruptions Leica DD SMART utility locator series (Leica Geosystems) The Leica DD SMART utility locator series, signal transmitters and DX Shield so ware work as a system to improve detection and mapping of utilities. The DD220 Smart and DD230 Smart locators use digital signal processing to detect utilities and underground assets deeper, faster and more accurately, potentially saving valuable time on repair work. The devices feature on-board locate alerts, an automatic locate process and video support to help reduce time spent locating buried utilities and prevent damage. The locators – which include Bluetooth to connect to fi eld controllers and mobile devices – can be used alongside the DX Manager Shield so ware to provide reports showing an overview of where and when the locators have been used. "We developed the new DD SMART utility locator series with the latest digital signal processing technology so users can identify the smallest utility signals, even in congested areas, in an intuitive and automated way," Andrew Allen, product manager at Leica Geosystems, said. "Paired with DX Shield so ware solution, users of DD SMART utility locators have an overview of where, when and how their detection tools have been used, demonstrating compliance, managing competence, and helping users to protect their staff , assets and reputation." DD220 Smart off ers depth estimation up to 7 metres, while the DD230 Smart – which provides additional tracing frequencies – off ers up to 10 metres. Pipe Puller (Kobus) The Pipe Puller system off ers a means of replacing water or gas supply pipe with minimal disruption. Kobus says it can be used to replace water supply pipes in 25 per cent of the time of traditional methods, and that the whole process can be completed in as little as one or two hours under suitable conditions. The Pipe Puller requires two excavation holes no larger than 12" by 12" to winch the old pipe out while at the same time pulling through a new service pipe. It works by feeding a calibrated steel cable through the pipe to be removed, which is fi lled with a special locking solution, KOBITE, forming a composite rope with the lead pipe. The cable is attached to the new MDPE pipe and, as the old pipe is pulled out, the new pipe replaces it. Pipe Puller can be used to replace lengths up to 25m in a single pull, with diameters up to 1-1/4", but the system features a computer that calculates the viability of each operation once key data – pipe length, outer diameter and soil shear strength – is entered. The Pipe Puller system itself is not new but the Integrated 400 Series version of the technology – originally developed for the replacement of gas services and available as of August – has recently been successfully trialled for use on water service pipes. The 400 series machine operates from a mini-excavator and is powered by the auxiliary hydraulics of the excavator itself, while the 300 series uses its own hydraulic power pack.