Cleaning

Thorough cleaning and calibration of pipes is key to the success of a rehabilitation project. Dirt deposits, incrustations and corrosion are removed from the inner pipe wall during cleaning.

Depending on the rehabilitation requirements, a variety of techniques such as pigging, high-pressure flushing and ultra-high-pressure cleaning are available. Our service range for landfills includes cleaning of leachate collection lines and underground drainage systems.

“Pipe pigs” may be used in the cleaning of pressure pipes with diameters of 50 mm and larger. These cleaning devices are inserted into the pipeline via pig gates, allowing to clean several kilometres of piping without digging or disconnecting the pipe. The pipe pigs are propelled through the pipe by water pressure. The highly accelerated leak water flow between the pipe pig and the inner pipe wall provides the cleaning effect, which can be further improved by using special adaptors like scrapers, brushes, or beads. The dissolved pollutants are carried along by the water flow ahead of the pipe pig and are collected and disposed of at the receiving gate.

High pressure flushing is used to clean sewers or to remove non-solid deposits. The pipeline is flushed with water by using a high pressure pump, a hose and variable nozzle adapters. Flow rates of up to 300 l/min and pressures of up to 240 bar may be achieved. Particularly tough deposits can be removed by hydromechanical tools (e.g. chain scrapers). Our vehicles are usually equipped with a suction device, which enables the controlled disposal of flush water.

The ultra-high-pressure cleaning unit ensures a metallically clean, grease- and corrosion-free pipe surface and optimally prepares the pipe for subsequent rehabilitation with a pipe liner. These state-of-the-art pressure cleaners generate pressures of up to 1550 bar.

Drainage or leachate collection lines at landfills are exposed to high loads and thermal stress. Additionally, they are often prone to heavy incrustations and may entirely break down when pipe openings become clogged. The inevitable build-up of leachate jeopardises the stability of any landfill.

The current Landfill Ordinance therefore requires the performance of continuous TV inspections by means of explosion-protected TV camera systems at yearly intervals. Such inspections include documentation of the state of repair of drainage pipes, their incrustation level, pipe temperature as well as elevation surveys to define the settlement profile at the landfill bottom.

Thorough high-pressure cleaning of feed pipes is essential to obtain conclusive results during TV inspection.

RTi Rohrtechnik international specialises in such technical operations and is the market leading in this segment.