E!12344 Water and Wastewater Pipeline Inspection

We have developed a prototype of a water and wastewater pipeline inspection system (WAWPINS) that can inspect pipelines for defects with full 3D digital reconstruction of both the pipe and its immediate surroundings. It's see-through capabilities for non-conductive materials such as plastics, fiberglass, and concrete, enables verification of proper bedding support and granular materials for bedding and backfilling as well as steel reinforcement in concrete pipes. The water and wastewater inspection markets are substantial (several billion NOK per year), and there is a huge need for improved deficiency detection and automation of the inspection process. Substantial revenue and profit can be made by selling an inspection system together with analysis of the raw data from the pipe inspections. If we successfully commercialize and introduce the WAWPINS system on the market, it will enable pipeline owners or operators to uncover defects and take corrective actions in water & wastewater infrastructure. This will have huge socio-economic benefits achieving fresh water and handling wastewater at much lower costs than today. The WAWPINS system will enable that new standards and regulations can be applied to ensure water safety and infrastructure inspection practice.

The WAWPINS system address the continuously growing water and wastewater pipeline construction and inspection market. The system is a non-contact 360° radar scanner measuring azimuthal pipe wall thickness, pipe ovality, as well as uncover defects such as cracks or other damages to the pipe wall. The project has provided a system for commercialization, and the partners have started commercialization efforts together with user environments. The WAWPINS system will enable pipeline owners or operators to uncover defects and take corrective actions in water & wastewater infrastructure. This will have huge socio-economic benefits, and the WAWPINS system will enable that new standards and regulations can be applied to ensure water safety and infrastructure inspection practice.

We want to develop and deliver a water and wastewater pipeline inspection system (WAWPINS) that can inspect pipelines for defects with full 3D digital reconstruction of both the pipe and its immediate surroundings. The core concept is a high-resolution impulse radar for pipeline inspection which provides 360° see-through capabilities for non-conductive materials such as plastics, fiberglass and concrete. We have comprehensive experience from developing see-through impulse radar systems for medical applications, and for offshore oil and gas well inspection. We see a considerable business opportunity using this experience and our radar technology and knowledge to decrease time and cost, while also improving accuracy and data visualization in pipeline inspection. This invention shall substantially increase our revenue and profit, and enabling us to scale the business on the international market.