True Grit: Using Dry Abrasives to Scour Pipe

One of the costliest aspects of relining potable water pipes is the provision of pipeline by-pass systems to provide temporary water to customers as the line is cleaned, then dried in preparation for the new liner. Envirologics Engineering Inc. of Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada, has developed a waterless system that uses dry abrasives to scour pipes, leaving a clean and dry pipe surface ready for immediate relining.The Tomahawk System works by vacuum. It draws abrasives through up to 450 feet of pipe, using a high-volume, low-pressure air stream, which also dries out pipe interiors. The grit is washed, crushed, graded and