Maintaining pipelines is an ongoing cost of doing business, so finding cost-effective ways to ensure the pipelines are not leaking and are free from problems is a critical factor for any company.
While not all pipelines will be carrying oil or gas, leaks even from municipal clean water pipelines result in high waste and costs of operation, not to mention the complications of having to stop us of the systems for pipeline maintenance and repairs.
The Consequences of Poor Maintenance
With poor or erratic pipeline maintenance programs in place, there is a greater risk of a major incident. Unfortunately for pipeline operators, there have been a lot of these incidents in the news of late, which makes it particularly challenging to have to address public and media concerns within specific industries.
Spills, undetected and slow leaks and the reputation damage for a crisis type of incident is all a factor to consider in weighing options for maintenance services. There are specific companies that provide this service and will regularly check, inspect and repair any areas of damage to a pipeline for municipalities or private or public companies.
The Preventative Option
One preventative option to consider instead of focusing exclusively on pipeline maintenance is to use a pipeline liner. This is a high-density polyethylene or HDPE liner that slides inside the existing pipe.
These liners literally slide into the pipe, creating a pipe within a pipe or a true dual-containment system within the pipe. The liner itself is highly resistant to both slow and rapid crack development and it can be used in high temperature types of applications as well as oxidative a well as corrosive chemical types of applications.
These liners, because of their construction and the physical properties of the HDPE provide a superior flow through the pipe even after years of use. The polyethylene is resistant to any scale build up or any collections of biological materials in the liner. The joints of the liner are heat fused, creating an impenetrable joint that will last as long as the pipe itself, if not longer. Additionally, as the exterior pipe provides pressure containment, there are no concerns with high pressure applications and the strength of the liner to contain the flow.
For old pipelines, adding these liners can be an answer to almost eliminating the costs of ongoing maintenance. The liners will stop any existing corrosion or abrasion to the exterior pipe and also prevent anything new from developing.