TPI April 2011

focus

host pipe. The tight fitting polymer liner results in a flow capacity close to that of the original pipeline. The naturally small footprint of the component parts of Swagelining equipment also allows the technology to be considered for projects where working space is at a premium, such as busy urban locations. After closely examining the way the industry considers the use of polymer lining in various sectors, the team at Swagelining

The Republic of Congo pipeline, thought to be the longest Swagelining project to date. Swagelining Limited FOCUS ON :

Glasgow-based Swagelining Limited acquired the intellectual property rights to the established Swagelining technology. With the belief that the technology was yet to realise its promise despite its acknowledged track record, Swagelining Limited wanted to push the boundaries of the technology to extend its benefits from niche application to wider use in the pipeline industry globally. The Swagelining technique reverting recovery system ” “ The Swagelining™ system is suitable for inserting liners in pipelines up to 60" diameter for structural and non- structural applications. It works by installing a tight-fitting polymer liner into new or existing pipelines, by designing and constructing a liner which has an outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of the pipe to be lined. The aim is to maximise pulling lengths, which in turn leads to reduced numbers of connections and excavations. Single pull lengths of up to 1km have been achieved. The Swagelining technique uses a naturally reverting recovery system after installation. The liner is installed into a host pipe by pulling it through a reduction die using a winch, which temporarily reduces its diameter allowing easy installation. Once pulled completely through the pipe, the pulling force is removed and the liner returns to its original diameter, pressing tightly against the inside wall of the

Many industry experts have long recognised the potential that polymer materials can offer in pipeline applications, but the promise has often lagged behind the progress. That may now be about to change. After just ten months in business, Swagelining Limited’s team of pipeline professionals has invested more than £2mn to help accomplish their mission to take polymer lining technology into the pipeline mainstream, and it is beginning to cause a stir on a number of projects around the world. Providing a highly effective solution for the prevention and control of internal corrosion and erosion in pipelines while delivering substantial cost, efficiency and environmental benefits, the company’s Integrated Lining System is showing prospects for changing the way pipelines are built, operated and rehabilitated. Originally developed by British Gas and United Utilities in the 1980s, Swagelining™ technology was initially designed as a trenchless technology rehabilitation solution providing an effective method of overcoming the problem of failing pipes in inaccessible or inconvenient areas, such as beneath busy main streets. This technology was further developed in the 1990s for the protection of new pipelines in the subsea industry complemented by a new connection system, the WeldLink™, for use in high pressure, carbon steel, water injection applications. In November 2009,

WeldLink tie in

focusedon the development of a complete system for polymer lining. Convinced that the wider use of the technology was being restrained by the inability to address a wide range of technical challenges in a coordinated manner, Swagelining Limited has developed the concept of the Integrated Lining System. This concept brings together liner design, material selection, project management, insertion technology, supply of connectors and terminations, and venting technology. The intention is to become the leading polymer liner solution provider, in all pipeline applications. Reflecting its global intentions, the Swagelining Limited business model focuses on local delivery of its technology. Its goals are simple: transfer industry leading technology, train in country resources and ensure the local business community participates fully in its lining projects. The Swagelining Limited Partnership Plan enables pipeline owners and operators, designers and contractors to engage the technology in the most appropriate way to realise local benefits of employment and skills development. The Integrated Lining System can now be applied to a number of sectors, including gas, potable water, sewage, water

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