Aberdeen-based Brinker Technology has successfully completed trials with Scottish Water to find and fix leaks in water pipes using its Platelet Technology®.

The trials were carried out on three leaks in residential areas of Aberdeen and Dundee, between January and March 2011, highlighting the technology’s potential to revolutionise water pipe repair, without the need to excavate roads or interrupt the water supply.

In each of the sites the leaks were excavated in order to demonstrate the sealing mechanism to Scottish Water management and technicians.

Brinker’s highly engineered Platelets® were applied through a standard network hydrant and transported in the water flow to the leak site, where fluid forces entrain them into it, providing a seal. The remaining platelets were taken out of the network through another hydrant further downstream of the leak.

This demonstrated a number of significant benefits for Scottish Water and its customers including a reduction in the time it would normally take to find and fix a leak, and the consequent transport problems associated with closed roads around an excavation site, as well as providing the ability to safely seal leaks without interrupting the supply of water. This has a direct influence on internal resources, such as man-hours and the non-invasive nature of the technology means that there are fewer stresses and strains on the infrastructure, thus reducing the possibility of future leaks as a result.

Speaking of the trial, Brinker’s product manager, Iain Chirnside said: “This is a significant achievement for the team at Brinker and following the success of this trial, we believe that water industry bodies all over the UK, and internationally, can gain from the benefits of our innovative technology.

“The trials have shown the effectiveness and the value of Platelets®, as well as their capability to completely revolutionise water network maintenance, rehabilitation and overall leakage. Put simply, we have the technology to avoid digging holes in roads to undertake maintenance or emergency repair.

“We see this as an extremely positive start to our relationship with Scottish Water, which we hope to develop further in the near future”.

George Ponton, head of research and innovation and Scott Gaffney from Scottish Water added: “Working with Brinker has helped to identify another potential tool for addressing leakage in Scottish Water. It also demonstrates our willingness to work with companies that offer innovative solutions that help us drive towards zero customer disruptions.”

Tags: Brinker Technology