Due to its flexible design, the Aquabrella moves onward obstructions and transitions in the pipeline without any problems.
Minimise downtime
In one run, the Aquabrella guarantees a complete condition assessment of kilometres of pipe, without downtime.
Improve management performance
The inspection data is available in your dashboard for more effective management and maintenance of your pipeline network.
The perfect solution for large drinking water pipes
by Frank van der Hulst
“Thanks to this flexible free-swimming tool, drinking water companies can easily gain insight into the condition of their pipeline network.
How the Aquabrella works
A complete condition assessment in one run, suitable for all types of pipes.
What does the Aquabrella inspect?
The Aquabrella carries out internal condition assessments for pressure and transport drinking water pipes with a diameter ≥DN400. The free-swimming, intelligent robot can be used in (risky) pipelines made of concrete, asbestos cement, cast iron, stainless steel and HPDE/PVC/GRP. The Aquabrella provides a complete condition assessment in which wall thickness degradation, location, corrosion, leaching, and sulphate attack, are measured.
How does it work?
With its sensors, the Aquabrella monitors the condition of pressure and transport pipes over many kilometres in one single run. The Aquabrella then sends the measurement data to our cloud platform. Acquaint uses data analysis to offer you insight into the current condition and remaining life span of the inspected pipe(s). Even for pipes that have not (yet) been inspected.
Features
High density of measurements
Measures to the nearest millimetre: leaching, sulphate attack, corrosion, location, angular displacement of joints, joint width, wall thickness degradation, ovality and diameter, axial tension, and leaks.
Maximum manoeuvrability
The inspection tool passes obstacles in the pipeline network without any problems due to the flexible design of the Aquabrella.
Full insight into the condition of the pipes
Our advanced dashboard provides you with all the ins and outs you need.
Free-swimming inspection tool
As a result of the design of the Aquabrella, there is no pressure difference and low friction during an inline inspection of a pipe.
For all types of pipelines
With the Aquabrella, it is possible to inspect all types of drinking water pipelines.
Prediction of the remaining service life
The remaining life span of the pipes is determined on the basis of the measurement data obtained by the Aquabrella.
The result
Reduce risks, minimise downtime and cut down on costs significantly
24/7 access to all insights about the current condition of your pipeline network.
Predict damages and failures, also for pipes that have not (yet) been inspected.
Cut down on costs significantly by intelligently prioritising pipeline management and preventing damage, leaks, and malfunctions.
What are our clients‘ experiences?
Read how clients get themost out of their assets thanks to Acquaint.
The Aquabrella, the name gives it away, resembles a series of umbrellas. In the pipe, it moves with the flow of the water and follows the bends and diameter of the pipe. The Aquabrella is equipped with numerous advanced ultrasonic sensors that emit and collect sound waves to detect any abnormalities in the wall or joints of the pipeline. In addition, the tool features an MFW sensor, an IMU, Hydrophone and a GPS-system for detailed measurement of many failure mechanisms (as corrosion, leaching, H2S degradation), characteristics (as angular displacement, deformation) and accurate X, Y, Z determination. Read more about our technology here.
What data is obtained after an inspection with the Aquabrella and in what form?
Using the ultrasonic sensors the Aquabrella 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;
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.
In addition, the data is presented in an inspection report in pdf format and the data is offered in Excel and GIS, however, the data can be delivered in any other format such as shape, dfx, etc.
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.
What are the requirements for minimum/maximum pressure and speed?
The desired speed of the Aquabrella 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 Aquabrella can handle is 40 bar.
How is the degree of leaching in AC Pipes determined?
Using the UT sensors the Aquabrella is equipped with, the thicknesses of the layers (healthy and leached) are determined based on sound velocities. Read more about our technology here.
How are leaks located?
The Aquabrella 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.
