TPT July 2018

I NDUS T RY

Asset helps power potential of biomass plant WITH growing global demand for energy and an increasing acceptance that fossil fuels and nuclear power are not only unsustainable but also damaging to the environment, developing renewable and sustainable energy sources has become a vitally important necessity. BWSC when looking for a manufacturer to lend its expertise inwatermanagement solutions for the project. which enables the pipe to adjust to different loading conditions, vibrations, stress and soil movements, without causing damage to the structure. Asset delivered the project over a two- week scale, saving the client weeks on its initial projections.

Due to the site’s poor ground conditions, BWSC was looking to integrate a surface water attenuation tank to store surface water drainage and avoid ground settlement in the overlying log storage area. To achieve this, Asset provided a comprehensive design service and developed a bespoke solution tailored to the scheme’s requirements. Construction works in connection with the tank were provided by NBC Construction UK installation. The result was a multi-leg attenuation tank: a 940m³ six-leg tank of 2.2m diameter HDPE pipes, with fabricated manifolds at each end and a fully welded system to ensure resistance to impact. Using the Weholite product with welded joints, the HDPE pipe becomes a homogeneous pipe line, capable of withstanding ground settlement without compromising its structural integrity. To further combat the issue of poor soil modulus, a geo-grid was installed to increase ground stabilisation and minimise settlement. With the tank being positioned under a log storage yard, where it would be subjected to heavy loads, it was also important for it to be able to withstand a worst-case load of 420 kN on a single wheel of a Liebherr LH50 log loader. Weholite has a natural ability to ‘flex’,

Commenting on the choice of Weholite plastic tanks and pipes, Simon Collins, contracts manager at BWSC, said, “The Kent scheme is BWSC’s eighth turnkey biomass power plant project in the UK within the last five years, and the close cooperation with key industry partners, including Asset, has contributed to the successful delivery of the projects. We have been extremely impressed with the quality of the Weholite product, which has not only effectively addressed our project requirements, but saved us time and provided excellent value.” Asset International technical sales engineer Matthew Thomas said, “This is a highly successful project and has really cemented a strong working relationship between Asset International, our client BWSC and the installation company NBC Construction UK. Weholite was the ideal solution for BWSC’s project requirements thanks to its superior performance in poor ground conditions, long service life and reliability.” pipe system. The robotic apparatus is self-propelled, and all its mechanical functionalities are controlled auto- nomously by internal sensors and computer vision. Employing both individually specific and a synergetic combination of computer vision, LIDAR, ultrasound, RF, Wi-Fi, gyroscope, accelerometer and machine learning technologies, the robot can precisely navigate and apply the SippSteel composite inside the pipe. The device can be operated via umbilical or autonomously providing lining lengths of more than a mile from one access point in the pipe. SippTech Technologies, LLC – USA Website: www.sipptech.com Asset International Ltd – UK Email: sales@weholite.co.uk Website: www.weholite.co.uk

Asset International has provided solutions to a number of renewable energy schemes around the world. Its Weholite HDPE pipes have been implemented in a range of projects throughout the UK and further afield. The company provided its expertise to Danish engineering and contracting company Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor (BWSC) on a surface water attenuation system for a new biomass power plant being developed by the company in Kent, UK. BWSC undertook a project to reduce the region’s carbon footprint and reliance on imported fossil fuels by providing a secure source of renewable heat and energy through a new combined heat and power (CHP) biomass plant. Powered by locally sourced virgin wood, the plant will generate approximately 27.8 MW of green electricity, capable of supplying up to 50,000 homes. Having already supplied smaller diameter pipes to the site for general drainage purposes, and with experience working on renewable energy schemes, Asset International was chosen by

Contract for SIPP technology analysis SIPPTECH LLC has finalised a contract with Louisiana Tech’s Trenchless Technology Center for their continued partnership and product analysis of the advancement of spray-in-place pipe technology (SIPP). The awarded contract specifically involves testing of SippTech’s robotic systems and installation of its filament reinforced composite lining, SippSteel™. rehabilitation industry forward in the very near future.” Dr Matthews added, “It is also a monumental moment for the TTC as this is the largest contract awarded to us from a private company since our conception.” Dr Matthews will be assisted on the four-phase project by co-principal investigators Dr Shaurav Alam and Dr Amin Azimi. Industry professionals, and undergraduate and graduate students will also be collaborating during each phase of testing.

“The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) is excited to support SippTech through testing, research and develop- mental support of their innovative spray- in-place pipe technology,” stated Dr John Matthews, director of the TTC and principal investigator on the SippSteel project. “This new SIPP technology has high potential to drive the pressure pipe

SippSteel consists of a composite lining of two dissimilar lining material layers and a carbon fibre filament reinforcement, which are applied robotically in a single pass through the

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JULY 2018