With its sensors, the Acquarius assesses the condition of transport, pressure and sewer pipes in a single run. Ideally suited for both wastewater and drinking water.
The Acquarius finds its way effortlessly through drinking water mains and force mains: ≥DN200.
Complete condition assessment
In one run, the Acquarius provides a full condition assessment covering miles of pipeline: without downtime.
Advanced Dashboard
The Acquarius inspection data is available in an interactive dashboard that we've developed for more effective management and maintenance of your pipeline assets.
Instant map of maintenance
Frank Verkuijlen - Senior Advisor Asset Management Water Board Limburg
“Thanks to the data we have obtained, we can now reliably determine where maintenance is needed and where the pipelines are still good. As a result, we can postpone the replacement task in certain places by as much as thirty years! That is very valuable information to have, because it allows us to work more efficiently, but especially because we are spared a lot of unnecessary expenses.
How the Acquarius works
A complete condition assessment in one run, without downtime.
In what pipelines is the Acquarius applicable?
The Acquarius performs internal condition assessment in any pressurized water or wastewater pipeline with a diameter starting at DN200. This can be, for example, a drinking water transport pipeline or a pressure sewer. The intelligent tool is applicable in (high-risk) pipelines of any material such as concrete, asbestos cement, cast iron, steel and HPDE/PVC/GRP.
How does the Acquarius work?
With its sensors, the main being ultrasonic, the Acquarius assesses the condition of transport, pressure and sewer pipelines over many miles in a single run. The Acquarius then transmits this measurement data to our cloud platform. After data analysis, we offer you insight into the current condition. Also for pipes that have not (yet) been inspected.
What does the Acquarius measure?
Depending on the material, the Acquarius provides a complete condition assessment, measuring:
Degradation of healthy wall thickness:
• Corrosion in metals;
• Leaching in AC;
• H2S deterioration.
Condition of a joint:
• Angular displacement;
• Joint width.
In addition, it measures:
• Ovality;
• Axial deformation;
• Leaks;
• Wire breaks in prestressed concrete pipelines;
• Location (XYZ mapping);
• Contamination at the bottom of the pipe;
• Gas.
How does the Acquarius work operationally?
The Acquarius is introduced into the pipe through a Y-piece or a T-piece using pressurized water. Once in the pipe, it travels at a speed of about 0.4 meters per second to the extraction point. There, the Acquarius can be received through a Y- or a T-piece. This can also be done in a wet well.
Prior to the inspection run, we always start with a cleaning run followed by a dummy run. These runs ensure a clean pipeline on the one hand and on the other hand this is part of the risk management of the project.
The Acquarius can handle diameter reductions of up to 40% and can also pass bends of up to 90 degrees. However, the pipeline must be easily accessible for the Acquarius, so it cannot pass butterfly valves.
What does the Acquarius consist of?
The foam PIG on the front of the tool is typically used in pipeline cleaning. However, ours is equipped with a large variety of advanced ultrasonic sensors that emit and capture sound waves to detect any anomalies in the wall or joints of the pipeline. In addition, the tool has several other sensors for accurate XYZ mapping.
How do you obtain the results?
Through an interactive and dynamic dashboard, we present all data and information about the inspected pipeline. The exact length, width and depth location (XYZ) of the inspected pipeline are displayed. Using filters and a large number of criteria, you can examine per pipe section or joint what the measured condition is and whether any anomalies have been detected. This allows you to monitor, at a detailed level, the condition of your pipeline and how the condition relates to the environment and the XYZ location.
Features
Pigging
The Acquarius works on the pigging principle, making this a non-destructive inspection method.
Automated
The Acquarius measurement data can be uploaded to our cloud environment automatically thanks to the Acquaint upload tool.
Take on the big jobs
The Acquarius is suitable for the inspection of pipework of diameters ≥ DN200 over great length.
Maximum insight into pipeline condition
Our advanced dashboard provides you with all the insights and overviews you need.
High measurement density
Measurement accuracy within 1 mm: leaching, deterioration due to H2S, corrosion, location, angular displacement of joints, gap width, wall thickness degradation, ovality and diameter, axial tension and leaks.
Do it yourself
We can train your own staff to work with the Acquarius independently. You can also opt to make use of our Acquarius teams.
The results
Reduce risks, minimise downtime and cut down on costs significantly
24/7 access to all the insights into your water network’s current condition.
Predict damage and malfunctions including for pipelines that have not (yet) been inspected.
Cut down on costs significantly by setting intelligent management priorities and prevent damage, leaks and malfunctions.
Acquarius (UT / Magnetic field)
Acoustic Balls
Electromagnetic
Wave Propagation
ART (Accoustic Resonance Technology)
Asbestos
Plastics
Cement-lined cast iron
Cast iron
Steel
PC(P)P
Predictive modelling
Show more
What are our clients‘ experiences?
Read how clients get themost out of their assets thanks to Acquaint
The foam PIG on the front of the tool is typicallyusedwhen cleaning pipelines. However, ours is equippedwithnumerousadvancedultrasonic sensors thatemit and collect sound waves todetectanyabnormalities in the wall or joints of the pipeline. In addition, the tool has anMFW sensor (forwirebreakage in concrete), an IMU (fororientation), Hydrophone (forleakdetection) and odometrywheels (fordistance). All these sensors togetherprovidedetailedmeasurement and localization of many failure mechanismssuch as wallthicknessreduction (corrosion, leaching and H2S degradation), characteristics (angular displacement and deformation) and an accurate X, Y, Z measurement. Read more aboutourtechnologyhere.
What data is obtained after an inspection with the Acquarius and in what form?
Using the ultrasonic sensors the Acquarius is equipped with, we can identify and classify repair pieces, pipe material, curves, bends, T-pieces and joint types, as well as detect the following failure mechanisms in pressurized pipes:
Corrosion in metals;
Leaching in AC;
H2S degradation in sewage pipelines;
Delamination of multilayer pipe walls (e.g., GRP);
Thickness measurement of internal liners, such as cement liners;
Joint width of couplings;
Ovality;
Dirt, scale or scale formation in the pipe;
Gas and air bubbles.
By combining ultrasonic measurements with other sensors, our tools can measure the following additional failure mechanisms and characteristics:
Angular deformation of couplings;
Longitudinal (axial) deformation of the pipe;
X, Y, Z location of the pipe.
The inspection data is delivered as standard in a user-friendly geographic dashboard developed by us. In one overview you can see the deviations and failure mechanisms detected for each pipeline (section) and you can quickly see the condition of the pipeline. Read more about the dashboard here.
How are leaks located?
The Acquarius is equipped with a Hydrophone, a specialized underwater microphone designed to detect and record sound waves in water. Hydrophones are sensitive to acoustic signals underwater, allowing them to capture sound waves due to turbulence and pressure changes, such as when liquids escape during a leak in a pipe. We can locate leaks (>13.0 dB) by comparing baseline acoustic signals with the altered signals caused by a leak. With the Hydrophone, we can also detect large obstructions. Read more about our technology here.
How is the degree of leaching in AC Pipes determined?
Using the UT sensors the Acquarius is equipped with, the thicknesses of the layers (healthy and leached) are determined based on sound velocities. Read more about our technology here.
What are the requirements for minimum/maximum pressure and speed?
The desired speed of the Acquarius ranges from 0.2 to a maximum of 1m/s, depending on the diameter of the pipe and the walkability of the route at ground level. The optimum speed is around 0.4 m/s. Typically, the speed is controlled by the system pump or pumping station, but an external pump or valves can also be used to control it. The pressure required by the tool to propel varies from 0.1 – 0.3 bar. The maximum pressure the Acquarius can handle is 40 bar.
What are the differences between the Acquarius and the Aquabrella?
The Acquarius and the Aquabrellabasically measure the same thing, the only difference being that the Acquarius can also measure ovality. The Acquarius technology is used in both wastewater and drinking water pipes. The advantages of the Acquarius are that it also cleans the pipe well and is also very stable and centered in the pipe, making the results of the inspection very accurate. The Aquabrella is used on larger, often more difficult to access, and clean raw and drinking water pipes. This is because the Aquabrella can handle larger diameter changes, can be inserted through a manhole and, because of its free-swimming capability, can easily pass any obstructions. In doing so, the tool barely touches the wall of the pipe during inspection, leaving any biofilm intact, and causes little turbidity due to swirling, even allowing the pipe to remain in use in some cases.
