Herein this article, we explore pipeline installation techniques and the five main methods and their ideal applications.
Pipeline installation involves various techniques to transport fluids, gases, and liquids across long distances. These techniques ensure efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly transportation.
The installation of pipelines is a critical process that varies based on environmental, logistical, and operational factors. Several techniques have been developed to efficiently install pipelines.
Open-Cut Trenching
The open cut or trenching method is one of the oldest and most utilized techniques for pipeline installation. It’s straightforward but labor-intensive, requiring the excavation of a trench along the predetermined pipeline route. After the trench is dug to the required depth, sections of pipes are laid down, joined, and then inspected for integrity. Once the pipeline is securely in place, the trench is backfilled, and the surface is restored.
While cost-effective and practical for large diameter pipelines, the open-cut method can significantly disrupt the local environment, including road traffic, natural habitats, and residents in the area. It is best employed in settings where these disruptions can be minimized, such as sparsely populated or industrial areas, or for the installation of sewer and water systems in new developments where infrastructure has not yet been fully established.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a modern, trenchless technology that allows for the installation of pipelines underneath natural and man-made obstacles with minimal environmental disruption. The process begins with the drilling of a small, horizontal pilot hole along a designed trajectory, using a jetting or a mechanical cutting head. Upon reaching the exit point, the drill head is removed, and a reamer is attached. This is pulled back through the hole to enlarge the borehole to accommodate the pipeline. Finally, the pipeline, often pre-assembled and pulled from the exit point, is installed in the expanded borehole.
HDD is particularly advantageous for crossing rivers, estuaries, and roadways, as well as installing pipelines in environmentally sensitive areas. The method significantly reduces ecosystem disturbance and does not impede surface activities, making it a preferred choice for urban areas or protected natural zones.
Pipe Ramming
Pipe ramming technique involves the forceful insertion of a casing pipe through the soil using a pneumatic hammer.
Pipe ramming (sometimes also called pipe jacking) is a trenchless method for installation of steel pipes and casings. Distances of 30 m (150 feet) or more and over 500 mm (20 inches) in diameter are common, although the method can be used for much longer and larger installations. The method is useful for pipe and casing installations under railway lines and roads, where other trenchless methods could cause subsidence or heaving. The majority of installations are horizontal, although the method can be used for vertical installations.
Micro tunneling
Micro tunneling is a tunnel construction technique used to construct utility tunnels from approximately 0.5–4 m (1 Ft. 8 in – 13 Ft. 1 in) in diameter. Because of their small diameter, it is not possible to have an operator driving the tunneling machine, so they have to be remotely operated.
Micro tunneling stands out for its ability to provide continuous, remote-controlled installation of pipelines with high precision. Unlike traditional tunneling, this method uses a micro tunnel boring machine (MTBM) that is operated from the surface, eliminating the need for manual handling of the pipeline during installation.
Pipe Bursting
Pipe bursting is a trenchless method of replacing buried pipelines (such as sewer, water, or natural gas pipes) without the need for a traditional construction trench.
Pipe bursting serves as an essential technology for the replacement of existing and potentially failing pipelines without the need to excavate along the entire pipeline’s length. The process involves a bursting tool that is pulled through the old pipeline. This tool fractures the existing pipe and forces the fragments into the surrounding soil. Simultaneously, a new pipe, attached to the back of the bursting tool, is pulled into place.