Cast Iron Leak Repair, Effective Leak Sealing Methods for Cast Iron Mains, Repairing gas leaks with the help of a robot, Robotic Technology Extends the Life of Gas Pipelines

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Robotic Remediation of Large Diameter Cast Iron Gas Mains

Large diameter cast iron pipes are often located in densely populated and traffic-sensitive locations, making them difficult to access for repair or replacement. CISBOT enables gas networks to rehabilitate their assets with minimal disruption to the public and zero impact to customers’ gas supply.

01. Minimal Environmental Impact

Our small job sites help reduce traditional construction activity and equipment, and minimize overall project emissions.

02. Reduced Public Disruption

CISBOT removes the need for conventional large-scale excavation thereby minimizing the impact of utility work on communities, traffic and pedestrians. Because the robot operates under live conditions, there is also no need to disrupt gas service to customers.

03. Enhanced Safety

Our CISBOT crews work daily across the US and UK to repair leaking pipelines and proactively prevent future leaks.

04. Cost Savings

CISBOT is approximately 80-85% less costly than direct burial replacement and is lower cost than other trenchless methods. The process requires only one excavation to address up to 110 joints, which helps lower permitting, engineering, and pavement restoration costs.

05. Reduced Repetitive Maintenance

By sealing all joints in the main, utilities eliminate the need to return to the same locations year after year to perform maintenance and leak monitoring.

06. Proven 50-Year Performance

We internally drill and inject every joint with an anaerobic sealant that has been proven by Cornell University to extend the life of the pipeline by 50 years.

Small Site Footprint

How it Works: The Science of Sealing Joints

Repeatable Methodology Ensures Positive Results: CISBOT first drills a small hole through the spigot to allow direct access to the jute packing material. The robot then positions a specialized nozzle over the newly drilled hole and injects an industry-proven anaerobic sealant directly into the hub. Circumferential rotation within the main allows CISBOT to drill and inject from any clock position to ensure the anaerobic sealant has completely filled the voids.

Monitoring the Process: Robot operators can monitor the joint sealing process using the six onboard cameras to look for wicking of the sealant and verification that the sealant is remaining in the joint.

Computer Feedback: A closed loop sensor feedback system informs the robot operator how well the joint is taking the sealant and how much was injected. This data is delivered to the client as part of the reporting data.

CISBOT Reporting and Data

Bar Hole Readings CISBOT

Detailed Joint Sealing Data: We treat every joint like its own construction project, providing highly detailed information about the makeup of the renewed joint.

Visual Data: Pre-inspection visual data reveals critical information about joint integrity and previously unknown features in the gas main.

Sub-Centimeter Location Data: Using our locating technology, our crew can also obtain pinpoint accurate location data for joints, tees, services and other features in the main to update utility mapping.

CISBOT Media Coverage

It’s important for us, our stakeholders and customers to make sure that we embrace innovation, chose the correct method of repairs, and future-proof our networks to make sure they are done right the first time.

Watch Now: Cadent Media

R. Sansom, Cadent Gas

LONDON_LIVE_STILL

CISBOT delivered 850m of Gas mains remediation to this highly sensitive location in 9 weeks compared to 9 months via traditional methods, The impact on traffic was considerably reduced and at no time did customers have their gas supplies interrupted.”

Watch Now: London Live

J. Harrison, Cadent Gas

BBC_STILL

The main benefit for us is CISBOT enables us to keep the roads open, have the gas on at all times, and it massively reduces the duration of the work.”

J. Rowing, Westminster Council UK

Hiring ULC Robotics for the work with CISBOT on West End Avenue cost $400,000. To do the job the way such work used to be done would have cost $1.5 million to $1.8 million.”

Watch Now: ABC 7

J. Ciallella, Con Edison

May 2016

The Boston Globe

To fix buried gas mains, a robot dives in

Read

January 2018

The New York Times

New York Times Calls ULC’S CISBOT “21st-Centruy Repairman”

Read

January 2018

ABC 7