Constantly seeking new advancements within the environmental industry, Downstream Services, Inc. has invested and adopted the new trenchless technology of Ultra-Violet (UV)-Cured, Glass Fiber-Reinforced (GFR) liners to its array of environmental services. As the sole West Coast authorized installer of Reline America's, Inc.'s Blue-Tek™ UV-Cured GFR liners, Downstream Services, Inc. is offering this alternative solution to the traditional method of "dig and replace" rehabilitation.
Originating in Germany, the GFR liner was first developed by the Brandenburger Group to rehabilitate the failing European infrastructure. Reline America has collaborated with Brandenburger to manufacture and distribute the innovative Blue-Tek™ liner system. Downstream Services, Inc. has successfully installed this liner in pipes ranging from 6-to 36-inches in diameter for the US Department of the Navy, California Department of Transportation, and most recently the City of Coronado.
Well suited for both sewer pipes and stormdrains, the Blue-Tek™ UV-Cured GFR liners are cost-effective due to the short installation time and minimized construction foot-print. Significantly, Blue-Tek™ system is environmentally friendly, incorporating "green" installation techniques resulting in no liquid waste, low energy usage and less construction noise. The impregnation of the fiberglass with the resin is performed at Reline America's, Inc.'s factory to meet each project's specifications, thus eliminating Styrene contamination due to job site "wet-outs". The Blue-Tek™ liners are encapsulated in UV-blocked film fitted containers which allow the liner to be stored at ambient temperatures for up to six months.
Key Installation Procedures:
DownStream Services, Inc.'s installation process of the Blue-Tek™ UV-Cured GFR liner is outlined as follows:
The host pipe to be rehabilitated is visually inspected to confirm project specifications and evaluate existing pipe conditions.
The host pipe is then jetted and cleaned.
Slip sheet is placed into the pipe to protect the liner during insertion.
The impregnated, spirally wound, seamless fiberglass liner is pulled in place from manhole to manhole.
The liner is protected by an inner and outer film to act as barriers against Styrene emissions, possible infiltration fluids, and physical obstructions.
Once the liner is in place, it is capped at both ends and is then pressurized causing the liner to expand and firmly contact the host pipe.
Proprietary UV light train is inserted into the line to initiate the curing process which is continuously digitally recorded, (digitally utilizing infrared sensors). The curing speed is determined by liner diameter, thickness and reaction temperature.
Televised inspection of the liner is conducted to view and evaluate the liner curing process.
The curing truck contains a tamper-proof computer monitoring system which records the curing parameters (temperature, speed, and pressure) and offers CCTV Inspection of the cured liner.
UV light train, inner film and all other equipment are removed from the repaired pipe after the curing process is confirmed.
The Blue-Tek™ UV Cured GFR liner presents the most effective pipe rehabilitation alternative based on the following:
Superior structural strength (Modulus of Elasticity of 1,100,000-psi).
Excellent hydraulic characteristics and superb porosity and water tightness performance.
Speed, simplicity, and ease of installation (up to 10-feet per minute).
Minimal planning and site preparation requirements.
Tamper-proof CCTV inspection of the pipe and continuous monitoring of the liner before and after cutting.
