A deceptively simple piece of trenchless technology is making waves over both the Channel and the pond. HELEN COMPSON finds out more.
America has seen the light, so much so that innovative pipe-pulling firm Kobus Services Ltd has relocated two members of staff to set up a dedicated production and supply facility over the pond.
Kobus has begun its expansion into Europe too, with the signing of an ‘exclusive distributor’ agreement for the Netherlands.
While it is the first foothold on the Continent, what a step! For the purveyor of trenchless technology couldn’t be better placed in a country carrying out a radical overhaul of its energy industries.
Simon Drain, business unit director of Kobus, said: “We supply our pipe pullers to both the water and gas industry, but in the Netherlands it is predominantly the gas market we’re targeting.
“There, they are transitioning away from natural gas supplies to residential properties to low-carbon energy, such as biogas or electricity.
“And because they don’t allow gas pipes that have been decommissioned to stay in the ground, over the next 30 years all the old pipes will have to be removed. Bearing in mind that 98% of Dutch homes are on natural gas, that is quite an undertaking.”
It is a meaty prospect for Kobus, of course, but one it is regarding as something of an appetiser rather than the main course. “This is just the start on mainland Europe,” he said. “We are actively looking for more partners to help us expand into other countries.”
The genius of the Kobus Pipe Puller is its very simplicity.
Basically, a hydraulic winch drags the old water or gas service pipe out of the ground, while at the same time towing the replacement polyethylene replacement in behind it. Up to 25m can be extracted in a single pull.
The risk of striking other utilities – a very real possibility when using moling techniques – is suddenly a thing of the past.
And residents are happier too, for gone are the days of digging up driveways. “Kobus was originally set up to overcome the disruption of having to dig up gardens and pathways when replacing service pipes here,” said Simon.
“Kobus came up with the idea of just digging a small hole at either end of the pipe and using a winch to extract it. A bit like keyhole surgery for water pipes.”
Now the pipe pullers can be used to replace a supply pipe under a block-paved driveway without removing a single stone.
Kobus manufactures the machines and sells them into the marketplace, complete with training package in their use, accessories and consumables.
Simon said: “In the UK, we have primarily focused on the water industry, where the pipe puller has been well-received.”
There are now two models available. The KPP300 series, which pulls lead, copper and plastic, was designed with the water industry specifically in mind.
The KPP400 series was subsequently produced following discussions with Cadent Gas, operator of the UK’s largest gas distribution network. It needed something that pulled predominantly galvanised steel service pipes.
There were a lot of positives to using the Kobus Pipe Pullers, he reiterated. “It’s a two-man operation that only requires two small excavations.
“You are pulling the replacement pipe along the same borehole the old pipe was in, with all the saving grace that offers.
“Look at all the activity going on laying broadband fibre optics, look at how congested our ground is with all the utilities already in there.
“Not only do these pipe pullers virtually remove the risk of hitting surrounding utilities, but they also take the old lead and steel pipes out of the ground which can be recycled.”
www.kobuspipepuller.com
