Technical Details

Millennium Project Number: M-2000-006

Project Title: Ecoseal (Keyhole Tools for Internal CI Repair)

Project Start Date: 2000

Projected End Date: 2003

Technical Details: Develop a repair method to access cast iron joint from above-ground and seal the joint on the inside. Create a drill path that accesses the cast iron joints space and fills it with a new gasket material. Develop a polymer sealant and a delivery system to seal the leaking joint.

The objective of this project is to develop a new polymer sealant and repair method for internally repairing cast iron joints. Participation in the Global Technology Transfer Alliance with GTI and other utilities has resulted in locating a polymer sealant (Ecoseal) with mechanical and chemical properties suitable for gas industry applications. The plan is to develop an internal drilling process and insert the sealant directly into the gasket material in the joint. The repair method requires the development of drill tool to access the joint and unique drilling methods to drill a hole through the bell joint. The sealant system could eventually be designed to be delivered from above-ground through a small keyhole excavation which exposes the top of the pipe only. The method is currently being designed for smaller size low pressure and medium pressure cast iron joints. If successful, the method may be extended to larger sizes.

Also funding this project are the following companies KeySpan, BG&E, and PSE&G.

Extensive testing was done on various methods of drilling, including water jetting. All methods of drilling were deemed unsuccessful at gaining access to the CI joint for sealing purposes. Based on these results the project was terminated.

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