Grantee Research Project Results
Reduced Cost Sewer Pipe Relining Using Ultrasonic Tape Lamination
EPA Contract Number: 68D01054Title: Reduced Cost Sewer Pipe Relining Using Ultrasonic Tape Lamination
Investigators: Roylance, Margaret E.
Current Investigators: Player, John
Small Business: Foster-Miller Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 2001 through September 1, 2003
Project Amount: $224,867
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2001) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Nanotechnology , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
During the Phase I program, Foster-Miller developed techniques based on Ultrasonic Tape Lamination (UTL) for joining of plasticized PVC sewer pipe liner. This effort was undertaken in response to a need for environmentally sound and cost-effective methods for rehabilitation of aging water and sewerage pipe rehabilitation infrastructure. Ultrasonic lamination has several significant advantages over the hot air field welding process currently in use. These advantages include the highly focused nature of energy deposition during insonification, and the rapid generation of this localized heating through a combination of viscoelastic and frictional effects. Therefore, ultrasonic lamination allows rapid joining against the surface of a concrete sewer pipe that functions as a significant heat sink during conventional hot air welding. Foster-Miller is working with Ameron International, Branson, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDep) and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to demonstrate the use of ultrasonic lamination of liner materials. In Phase I, ultrasonic lamination of sewer liner material was demonstrated against a realistic substrate, and has been shown to provide welds that meet the strength goals established by Ameron with joining times more than an order of magnitude shorter than the current method. Based on these results, Foster-Miller, Branson, and Ameron propose to design and build a prototype field-deployable ultrasonic lamination system and demonstrate its use in the field for installation of PVC liner material. Many estimates put the required investment for sewer pipe replacement or rehabilitation in the hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade. Beyond the pipe lining markets, Foster-Miller has identified a large number of potential ultrasonic lamination applications in both the aerospace and civil infrastructure industries. These markets include the fabrication of thick composite.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, infrastructure, rehabilitation, water pipe, sewer pipe, pipe lining, EPA., Scientific Discipline, Water, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Ultrasonic Tape Lamination (UTL), sewer pipe, water pipe, infrastructure , Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) , Massachusetts DEPProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
Reduced Cost Sewer Pipe Relining Using Ultrasonic Tape Lamination | 2001 Progress Report | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.