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Sahara ® Pipeline Inspection Technology

A high-accuracy sonar and CCTV inspection tool used for pinpointing leaks and pipeline condition assessments.

Anthony Bond is our expert in Sahara Pipeline Inspection

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Highly accurate, reliable methodology

Sahara® is an established and safe deployment method for a range of inspection sensors that can be used to pinpoint leaks in pipelines of any material and undertake pipeline condition assessment surveys. The Sahara® system can be used for the effective management of new and existing pipelines, which can usually be achieved in real-time while the pipeline remains in service, meaning no disruption is caused to your customers.

Sahara® can be deployed through a 50mm tapping (larger may be called for depending on specific equipment required), such as a through-bore hydrant or existing air valve. While there is no maximum pipe diameter for deploying Sahara®, the pipe diameter should be no less than 100mm.

This technique relies on the water flow to carry the sensor through the pipeline, gathering data as it travels. The Sahara® equipment is mounted on an umbilical cable which provides pipeline route tracing - constant, traceable location information through monitoring the length of cable deployed during a survey.

A unique feature of the system is the inclusion of a location sensor that allows any feature detected to be precisely pin-pointed and marked on the ground over the pipeline during the survey.

Monitor general pipe condition

Our technologies are combined, allowing for condition assessment whilst tracing leaks.

High sensitivity leak detection

Even the smallest of leaks can be found and therefore monitored and addressed.

Precise location of identified leaks

Pinpointed leak and air pocket location through fully traceable technology.

Suitable for all pipe materials

Sahara® technology is flexible and adaptable, servicing all pipe types through a range of solutions.

Range of inspection techniques

  • CCTV
  • Sonar
  • Conductivity
  • Pressure & Acoustic

The Sahara® CCTV system is suitable for all pipe types and can be used in live water mains while the main continues to service customers. The camera is also fitted with acoustic (leak detection) and location sensors allowing a leak location survey to be carried out at the same time as the CCTV inspection. Typical applications include:

  • Checking for sediment build-up.
  • Looking for signs of internal corrosion.
  • Identifying features without excavating.

Sahara® CCTV can be deployed using pressure through a 50mm tapping in pipe diameters over 100mm and is capable of giving pipeline operators live internal images from water mains at a distance of up to 1000m from the insertion point.

Sonar surveys can be carried out on all pipe types to provide information on the internal profile and cross section. Profile information allows identification of blockages, particularly where turbidity is too high for CCTV (raw water), and build-up of sediment can be quantified. The Sahara® sonar tool allows direct measurement of features detected – pipe diameter, depth of sediments, size of gas pockets etc. Typical applications include:

  • Raw water mains - assess blockage debris or zebra mussel growth in the pipeline.
  • Sewers - detect broken or damaged sections.
  • Rising mains and sewer - identify solidified fats, oils and greases (FOG) build-up.

A minimum entry point of 80mm is required.

Specifically designed for use on plastic pipe materials, the conductivity technique will detect and pin-point leaks and buried metal fittings, in addition to establishing the line and depth of the pipeline as standard Sahara® capabilities. Typical applications include:

  • Identifying lost fittings.
  • Locating 'hard to find' pipelines to update records and reduce the strike risk.
  • Pin-pointing metallic fittings before pipe bursting commences for improved efficiency.
  • Finding leaks in newly laid pipelines.
  • Re-creating an incredibly valuable burst record which allows pipeline replacements to be extended to cover old repairs.

Pressure

Pressure inspection can be carried out on all pipe types to provide a vertical profile (long section) of a pipe and detect blockages and diameter changes.

Acoustic

The original sensing technology deployed using the Sahara Pipeline Inspection System acoustic inspection is used for the detection of leaks or gas pockets on pipes of any material. The technique has a well-established reliability and sensitivity to pin-point even the smallest leaks.

Solutions provided by Sahara®

  • Condition assessment
  • Leak detection
  • Active leakage control
  • Pipeline mapping
  • Specific asset location
  • Commissioning
  • Improve operational and business planning
  • Reduce strike risk

Related items

Case Study
Using Sahara to locate gravity sewer for construction permission

WRc used Sahara® to locate a gravity sewer for a client in order for redevelopment planning permission to be granted by the water company.

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Sahara has enabled Thames Water to reduce trunk-mains losses by 65Ml/d. Conventional methods would not have detected leaks with such confidence, nor located them with such accuracy.

Tony Owen - Trunk Mains Leakage Manager
Thames Water Engineering

Using Sahara we have been able to reduce our entire water importation by 3.5%. The savings afforded paid for the survey works in just eight months.

Elhassane Benahmed - Water Resources Manager
Lydec, Morocco

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Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

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Anthony Bond

Senior Consultant

Anthony works closely with clients to advise on the most appropriate techniques to utilise in order to inspect assets. He specialises in implementing innovative, new inspection techniques and solutions. Anthony is responsible for investigating and developing new inspection techniques, and adapting trusted technologies for specific client applications. He is involved in initial testing under field survey conditions, as well as ensuring field operators are competently trained in new techniques.

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