Robotic Sprayed-in-Place Pipelining

While some feel that corrosion is a large cause of pipeline failures, pipeline flow restriction due to tuberculin-type growth is a major concern. This growth can significantly reduce the pipe diameter, thus affecting liquid flow through the pipe, flow back-up, and in case of potable water lines, poor water quality and unhappy consumers. Current pipe materials used in most utility sectors are composed of cast iron, ductile iron, concrete, steel, some asbestos cement, or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and will differ by region of the country. It is noted that over 65% of all municipal pipeline systems are over 30 years old, with a vast majority being over 50. Some comments note that over 8% are beyond their useful life expectancy in the US market. PVC has been shown to have the lowest failure rates due to the fact that corrosion has been shown to be the leading cause of failures in pipeline systems.