Industry Rising

2010 Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo sees growth in attendance along with an abundance of new tools and technologies for municipal managers

The 30th Annual Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International struck an optimistic note for the environmental service industry. Attendance reached 8,784 persons representing 3,921 companies and organizations, up 3.7 percent over 2009. The 493 exhibitors almost universally reported interested buyers and strong sales.

A cruise around the exhibit floor also showed continuing innovation in products and technologies that help municipal departments save labor, serve customers better, and stretch budgets. Here is a look at some of the innovations on display.

Cleaning with air and water

The BL Swiper nozzle from NozzTeq cleans sewers and stormwater pipes cost-effectively by using both water from a high-pressure jetting unit and jet streams of air. The nozzle is constructed of steel channels surrounded by a tough polyethylene housing. The water flow, through the pressure in the jets, creates jet streams of air that generate thrust through a number of channels. The number of air channels is equal to the number of jets. The channels are placed in the center of the nozzle so that both air and water streams clean the pipe. Tests performed with the nozzle show that the flow rate can be reduced by half versus cleaning with conventional nozzles. Call 866/620-5915 or visit www.nozzteq.com.

All-in-one unit

The Mr. Manhole engineered manhole chimney replacement system now comes with attachments that enable a single unit to replace standard manholes, larger-diameter manholes, and small water valve boxes. The system enables repairs to a manhole or valve box to be completed in one hour or less, leaving a permanent structure that is leak-free, vacuum testable, and level with the road. The cutter extractor tool runs on a standard skid-steer or track loader and removes the road surface surrounding the manhole or valve box frame. A ringsaw is used to cut a form to exact road level height. The frame is placed on the form and a cast-in-place, epoxy-coated, rebar-reinforced concrete adjusting ring and collar is poured. Call 419/692-1600 or visit www.mrmanhole.com.

Ready to travel

A pallet-mounted slide-in video inspection system from Cobra Technologies mounts easily in a pickup truck, SUV, or other vehicle with a cargo space of at least 80 by 48 inches. The inverter-powered unit slides out easily for storage when not in use. A weather-resistant control console incorporates a sunlight-readable CobraTouch datalogger. The reel has power-level wind, an electric rewind motor, and an air-operated positive engagement clutch to eliminate slippage. The unit has all the functionality of a mainline inspection system. Call 800/443-3761 or visit www.cobratec.com.

Small-pipe scanner

The Panoramo 150 pipeline scanner system from RapidView/IBAK is designed to inspect pipelines from 6 to 12 inches. The system uses two 185-degree wide-angle cameras mounted on the front and rear. As the crawler moves through the pipe, integrated high-power strobes flash, and the cameras capture images of the pipe wall. After the inspection, the data is compiled to create a 360-degree view of the pipeline in a self-contained file for later review. The unit can inspect at speeds up to 40 feet per minute. Call 800/656-4225 or visit www.rapidview.com.

Smaller carbon footprint

The eco jetting truck from Sewer Equipment Company of America is designed as an earth-friendly system that uses biodegradable hydraulic oil, consumes less fuel, produces lower air emissions, and has a reduced-carbon-footprint manufacturing process. The water system operates at pressures up to 4,000 psi and flows from 18 to 100 gpm. Call 800/323-1604 or visit www.sewerequipment.com.

Manhole replacer

The HS-57 saw manhole repair and removal tool from CONEQTEC Universal can be used in raising manholes for overlays, replacing old manholes, or repairing dropped, raised or damaged manholes. The skid-steer-mounted unit uses a self-aligning hydraulic clamp mechanism to attach to the lip of the casing to ensure that the saw is centered and secure. The cutting is accomplished with hydraulics to apply downward pressure to the cutting drum. A cutting depth indicator tells the operator how deep the cut is progressing, and a clamp-on indicator signals that the clamp is locked in and ready. On completion of the cut, the clamp is used to lift the casing and surrounding paving material for disposal. Casings can be freed and reused. Call 888/832-3462 or visit www.coneqtecuniversal.com.

Lateral cutter

HydroCut lateral reinstatement cutters from Envirosight mill quickly and cleanly through CIPP lining materials. High-pressure water spins the cutter, cleans the onboard cameras, and cools the motor and bit for maximum life. The cutter moves under its own power. Its overhead outrigger and interchangeable wheels boost traction and maximize crawler range. A cutting bit lasts 90 hours. A stabilizing outrigger and high-speed motor minimize camera vibration. The systems are modular, enabling quick wheel and bit changes. Water recirculation is also available. Call 973/252-6700 or visit www. envirosight.com.

Mean Machine

The MM-10 Mean Machine wet/dry vacuum loader from Hi-Vac uses innovative design to enhance material separation. A cyclonic ring prefilter and 8-inch inlet hose work together to slow the material’s inlet velocity. A 16-foot-long main payload further enhances material separation. Dual cylinders and baghouse provide more efficient airflow with less restriction, reducing pressure loss in the filtration system. Dual secondary cyclones provide fine-particle separation before the baghouse final filter. Total payload capacity is 18 cubic yards. The Roots trilobe blower is rated at 5,184 cfm and delivers 27-inches-Hg vacuum. Call 740/374-2306 or visit www.hi-vac.com.

Heat-reading camera

The ThermaView II pan-and-tilt camera from Aries Industries now enables users to see temperature differences in full color and so locate laterals within newly lined pipe and make reinstatement cuts accurately. The system offers double the resolution and digital zoom capabilities on the thermal imaging side and a new high-resolution camera module and high-intensity LED lighting on the video side. The thermal-imaging module lets users view any image in two full-color modes and two black-and-white modes. A visual thermometer enables users to pinpoint the temperature of any image on the screen to within ±0.5 degree accuracy. Besides its use for lateral reinstatement, the system can be used to identify infiltration under water levels and for finding “hot spots” in conduits. Call 262/896-7205 or visit www.ariesindustries.com.

Lining installers

Sleeve installers from Logiball Inc. enable installation of cured-in-place sectional liners in bends of 4- and 6-inch pipe. The custom-made flexible installers are 2.625 inches in diameter and are available in lengths up to 50 feet. Call 800/246-5988 or visit www.logiball.com.

Packing down trenches

A skid-steer-mounted vibratory compaction wheel from Trench Grader compacts trenches for water lines and other utilities. The wheels, available in a variety of diameters and widths, attach easily to any skid-steer loader. Call 870/697-2226 or visit www.trenchgrader.com.

Oval-pipe skid

USB-Duesen GmbH, in conjunction with USB-Sewer Equipment Corporation, offers a continuously adjustable guide skid for tear-shaped sewer lines up to 48 inches.

The guide skid can be equipped with sewer-cleaning nozzles and turbo chain cutters to remove roots and other obstructions. Call 770/984-8880 or visit www.usbsec.com.

Main-lateral connection

The T-Liner Shorty from LMK Enterprises Inc. is used to seal the main-lateral connection in sewer pipes. The system is a one-piece structural stand-alone connection liner that extends 3 feet into the lateral. It is designed for municipalities that want the main-lateral connection sealed with the cost of installing a cleanout. The system uses gasket sealing technology along with vacuum liner impregnation, inversion installation, full-circle main liner construction, tapered ends for a smooth transition, lateral identification, and a long-term sealed impervious coating. Call 815/433-1275 or visit www.performanceliner.com.

Tighter manholes

The PRO-RING system from Cretex Specialty Products is designed to eliminate infiltration at manholes and to leave a smooth street surface. Manhole repair sites can be opened, repaired and closed in one day, and no sand, mortar or bricks are required. The rings are made of expanded polypropylene with an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio, chemical resistance, and long service life. One worker can install an entire system in minutes. The rings nest together, are easily sealed, and fit to within one-quarter inch of grade. A 6-inch-thick ring weighs 14 pounds. Call 800/345-3764 or visit www.cretexseals.com.

Automated root control

The Jett Set Commander series chemical root control foaming system from Vaporooter automates treatments and eliminates manual mixing of chemicals. The user snaps in the container of liquid herbicide, drops in a water-soluble packet of growth inhibitor, and pushes a button on the touchscreen controller. The system lets operators simply jet up the line, push a button, and retrieve the hose. The system can be retrofitted to any existing sewer-cleaning jet truck and is available as an option from major sewer equipment manufactures. Call 800/841-1444 or visit www.vaporooter.com.



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