Precise Condition Assessment of Metallic Pipes Dramatically Reducing Maintenance and Investment Cost in District Heating and Drinking Water Pipe Networks by pinpointing Pipe Segments to be replaced

Project Information

PIPESCANNER

Grant agreement ID: 855610

DOI

10.3030/855610

Project closed

EC signature date 20 December 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 30 April 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

BREIVOLL INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES AS
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PIPESCANNER (Precise Condition Assessment of Metallic Pipes Dramatically Reducing Maintenance and Investment Cost in District Heating and Drinking Water Pipe Networks by pinpointing Pipe Segments to be replaced)

Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2020-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Pipe infrastructure rust, leak and blow up, leading to huge cost for utilities and societies. In UK utilities are now fined multimillion British pound penalties for sewage leaks. Today utilities listen for leaks, but they do not know the condition of their underground assets. They should and they would like to. We can assist.
Breivoll deliver world leading metallic pipe condition assessment services. So far, we have assessed condition of around 250 km of pipelines transporting drinking - and hot water. A key feature of our technology is delivering remaining pipe wall thickness measuring both internal and external corrosion using an in-line scanning technology.
But we need to move on: The overall objectives of this project are to enable inspection in sewage filled pipes, while also enabling scanning of Europe’s critical pipes (big diameter pipes), pipes with very thick walls, pipes with sediments and cement mortar lined pipes. Inspecting sewage filled pipes will dramatically reduce time for taking the pipe out of production, thus accommodating utilities’ operational needs.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Correctly assessing condition of pipes is challenging. Our MultiScanner project will allow for inspection of water and sewage filled pipes, dramatically reducing time for pipes being out of operation while scanning. The MultiScanner will provide accurate and fast assessment. Technical solutions designed in our project is challenging, both hardware - and software wise, but based on earlier experiences designing and implementing PipeScanners we feel it to be within reach to implement functionalities designed. Thanks to the H2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 program we have been able to confirm the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of this project. We have identified the steps to improve technical features from current solutions. We have also considered pre-commercial activities and conceived a business model. This has been possible after a thorough market survey and an identification of potential customers and their needs. We have also assessed technical and commercial risks and analysed competitors and competing technologies.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The functionalities designed for the PS4 MultiScanner project will continue our process optimization and deliver 65%-75% savings for Utilities’ maintenance operations. Discomfort to citizens will be reduced, budgets will be better balanced, and leaks / blowouts of sewerage and water / hot water will increasingly be avoided.