Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK) has been a client of Acquaint since it was founded in 2014. HHNK processes 100 million m3 wastewater per year with a 600+ kilometre pressure pipeline network. Multiple inspections performed in asbestos cement (AC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipelines with the Acquarius and the PipeScanner have given HHNK a better insight upon the condition of their pipeline network. Maintenance Engineer Peter Stoop explains: “ With the Pipe Scanner we can selectively measure at different spots to assess the local condition of the pipeline. With this insight, we can decide to not replace the entire pipeline, but to focus on the sections that need to be replaced based on the insights. We are very flexible because of the Do It Yourself (DIY) concept of the Pipe Scanner. We can measure where, and when we want by ourselves.”
Peter Stoop is a Maintenance Engineer at HHNK. His tasks include, among other things, maintaining a reliable pipeline network. This includes performing inspections and creating a replacement model. The remaining lifetime of a (section of a) pipeline is based on these models.
Peter Stoop tells about the usefulness of performing inspections: ‘’Performing inspections grants us data regarding the important failure mechanisms of a pipeline. Subsequently, this data is analysed and used in a replacement model. We use the Pipe Scanner to inspect the pipeline non-destructively. With the Pipe Scanner, we can inspect among other things, AC pipelines on important failure mechanisms such as H2S deterioration and leaching. These failure mechanisms are important for determining the remaining lifetime of a pipeline. With the results of the inspection, we can decide if a pipeline needs to be replaced or we can let it remain in the ground. ‘’All the data from the inspections is presented in a comprehensive online dashboard, which makes the decision-making process easier because the data can easily be used in a remediation model. The model only works well if you have enough data, and that was often a problem. We used to use Excel sheets, but it was impossible to accurately display all relevant data, said by Peter Stoop.
HHNK has a lot of experience with inline inspections with the Acquarius. The water board was even one of the first users of the Acquarius and has suggested different important improvements. For example, the first run did not go optimally, causing the results to be somewhat disappointing, but it contributed to the improvement of the inspection process. The first run did not withhold HHNK from performing more inspections with the Acquarius and from working together on the development of inspection tools that accurately measure the condition of different types of materials that pipelines are made of. Because the Acquarius can inspect a wide range of pipe materials, we have inspected other materials aside from AC and concrete at HHNK. We inspected a DN200-250 HDPE/PVC pipeline, among other things on leakage, wall thickness and location (XYZ). The results of the Acquarius are presented in a clear inspection report for easy integration in a replacement model. These results are given in a clear overview of the remaining lifetime of the inspected pipeline. From here substantiated assumptions can be made about other pipelines in the pipeline network.
Acquaint likes to work together with drink- and wastewater companies on a future-proof pipeline network. Making our inspection tools compatible with different types of material is a crucial part of this development process. Working together with water boards is important for this. Maintenance Engineer Peter Stoop experiences the collaboration as positive: ‘’Acquaint is compact and you have contact with people that really have knowledge of relevant issues in the water sector.’’
Would you like to know more about Acquaint and what our inspection tools can inspect? Contact our Sales Engineer Robbert Lodewijks via robbert.lodewijks@acquaint.eu.
