Problem
When the new laboratory for the Encina Wastewater Authority was built, copper pipes were accidentally installed as gas lines for the lab. These gas lines are used for metal analysis of the water, so the pipes cannot be made of metal or else the analysis will be incorrect. Since the laboratory had just been built, the customer did not want to have to cut holes in the building and install new pipe, so they sought an in-place pipe retrofit solution.
Solution
Nu Flow’s trenchless technology provided the ideal solution for the customer. Our patented in-place epoxy coating was applied to the gas lines to successfully prevent copper contamination with the water.
Nu Flow technicians used existing access points to apply the blown-in epoxy to the pipe lines. We coated the water treatment lab’s copper compressed air and argon gas lines with our epoxy coating without causing destruction to the building. The work was completed in only two days and did not disrupt the employees, nor did it cause destruction to the building. Nu Flow’s patented epoxy coating will maintain the integrity of compressed air, potable, HVAC and fire suppression pipe systems, so you don’t have to worry about leaks, contamination or other system failures.
Result
The lab has not had any issues with their gas lines since our work. Doug Campbell, Laboratory Manager of Encina Wastewater Authority stated “Nu Flow’s trenchless technique was a good one to use for this application. Their product alleviated us having to cut holes in the building and re-plumb the lines. Nu Flow’s epoxy is made of non-reactive resin so we didn’t have to worry about contamination.”
Technical Data
System:
Treatment plant that reduces pollutants in about 22 million gallons of wastewater per day. The two-story building was built in 2007 and has a laboratory to test the water for chemicals and metals.
Customer:
Encina Wastewater Authority
Location:
Carlsbad, California