Focus on pipe protection – Trenchless Australasia

kwik-ZIP centralization and spacer systems solve challenges in trenchless pipe installations across Australia and worldwide.

In late 2022, Sydney Water and the West Region Delivery Team (WRDT) commissioned Quickway for a water pipeline installation project. Quickway specializes in transport and utility infrastructure and has completed numerous projects across Australia. The project was centered on Elizabeth Drive in Badgerys Creek, a western suburb of Sydney. The water line required a slip liner with an 813 mm (mm OD) outside diameter support pipe.

Quickway used kwik-ZIP HDX-90 spacers to facilitate slip-lining over a 180-meter stretch.

“Kwik-ZIP spacers provided both protection and coverage for the support tube. This allowed us to complete a successful underhole installation,” says Quickway project engineer Matthew Macinnes.

Badgerys Creek installs HDX-90s on Steelmain’s 813mm OD Sintakote.

What is the HDX series?

The HDX Series features a unique load sharing design. It is designed to maximize the load capacity of each runner while reducing point loading. No special tools are required for the easy and efficient installation process.

The HDX case spacer is available in four runner heights, allowing the pipe installer to accommodate a variety of carrier pipe OD and case ID combinations. This flexibility gives installers the ability to adjust pipe position for height control.

Jason Linaker is the managing director and developer of the Australian products kwik-ZIP. He is proud to have several WSA PS-324 compatible units in the HDXT and HDX series. Recognition of these products will allow kwik-ZIP to continue to support safer and more durable installations.

“kwik-ZIP housing spacers protect pipes, simplify installation and extend the life of your system. With two lines of products approved by the industry, selecting the right spacer for longevity and success is easy,” says Linaker.

The spacers contain low-friction, highly abrasion-resistant wear pads attached to load-sharing runners. The outside diameter of the tube determines the number of segments required for each spacer.

“The flexibility of the design allows different runner heights to be achieved across the entire product line. It allows for different tube/casing combinations and a wide range of carrier tube dimensions,” says Linaker.

“Spacers are typically only a small part of the overall pipe installation process. Properly designed and installed non-metallic spacers with low-friction runners can increase pipeline life expectancy. They mitigate corrosion, protect tubing from abrasion and scoring during insertion, and reduce installation forces on joints during slip-lining.”

The different gate heights on the HDX and HDXT models ensure that pipe installers can accommodate a range of carrier pipe OD and casing-host pipe ID combinations. In addition, installers can customize pipe position for height control.

What is special about kwik-ZIP?

The kwik-ZIP spacer range is suitable for a range of carrier and sleeve size combinations. In addition, it provides flexibility for contractors and installers to manage project changes.

kwik-ZIP spacers have no metal parts, but are made of high-quality thermoplastic. It is flexible and strong and the low coefficient of friction also minimizes installation forces on large diameter pipes.

Metal-free construction is compatible with all potable water applications and is corrosion and rust resistant.

kwik-ZIP’s HDX Series minimizes potentially harmful vibration and motion transfer from the outer casing to the support tube through innovative suspension and damping technologies.

The kwik-ZIP systems are used today in production well completion, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), rock bolt and bolt centralization and trenchless pipeline installations in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.

See kwik-ZIP for more information.

This article appeared in the April issue of Trenchless Australasia. You can access the digital copy of the magazine here.

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