A pipeline reconditioning system and process is provided for reconditioning corroded or damaged pipelines. The reconditioning system includes a mobile topside unit storing and providing reservoirs and supplies of substances used in the pipeline reconditioning and the equipment for the reconditioning system, a management and towing units that are securely anchored in the pipeline at remote access points, and a towed delivery system array that includes a deployment sled that processes the substances and dispenses the reconditioning material, such as a composite epoxy resin with chopped glass or basalt filament fibers, between access points to the pipeline interior.

Segments are linked in the circumferential direction and in the pipe-length direction to assemble a rehabilitation pipe inside an existing pipe in order to rehabilitate the existing pipe. A stackable spacer that is held by a spacer holder is inserted between the existing pipe and the rehabilitation pipe to adjust the position of the rehabilitation pipe relative to the existing pipe. The spacer holder is provided with a movable member that is movable in the circumferential and vertical directions between the inner wall surfaces thereof. The movable member is positioned in the circumferential and vertical directions depending upon the circumferential width of the spacer and the number of spacers stacked. The spacer is held between the positioned movable member and the inner wall surface of the spacer holder.

A wetout funnel (82) including opposite walls (88) forming a v-shape with a slot (90) at the bottom of the v-shape and a squeegee (102) disposed at the slot (90) for controlling the coating of grouting material for a uniform covering on a liner (50) as it passes through the wetout funnel (82). A first ejector pipe (104) receives and dispenses grouting material (52) to coat one half of the exterior of the liner (50) and a second ejector pipe (106) receives and dispenses grouting material (52) to coat the opposite half of the exterior of the liner (50). The wetout funnel (82) is mounted on a supporting framework (84) that is positionable over a manhole. The supporting framework (84) has end pieces (92) movable to engage the edges of a liner (50) of different widths.

An inflatable plug for sealing a pipeline includes a tubular member, a first indicator, and a second indicator. The tubular member has an inner surface and an outer surface that extends in an axial direction from a first end to a second end. The tubular member defines a central chamber configured to inflate to a predetermined pressure so that the outer surface of the tubular member expands to contact an inner surface of the pipeline. The contact between the outer surface of the tubular member and the inner surface of the pipeline define a contact length that extends in the axial direction. The first indicator and the second indicator are positioned on the outer surface of the tubular member. The first indicator is spaced from the second indicator in the axial direction by a predetermined length. The predetermined length is substantially equal to the contact length.

A sealing method, comprising: introducing a moving stream of curable material into an opening; and curing a portion of the moving stream of curable material flowing back out of the opening to form a cured layer of curable material. The cured layer restricts or prevents at least a further portion of the curable material from flowing back out of the opening.

The method for rehabilitating a damaged section of a pipe without a need for a resin absorbent liner is provided. The method includes pumping a low viscosity material towards a damaged section of pipe and changing the viscosity prior to dispensing of the material. For example, the material may be partially cured prior to dispensing. The partially cured or higher viscosity material is compressed between an inflating bladder and interior wall of the pipe, and the material that is allowed to fully cure. The bladder either can then be removed from the pipe or could be allowed to maintain in the pipe providing a new interior surface for the repaired pipe.

Equipment, process and techniques are shown for rehabilitating old underground pipelines, particularly asbestos pipelines, in which an old underground pipeline is replaced, as by drawing a bursting head through the old pipe to burst it and simultaneously pulling a new pipe through behind the bursting head. The invention has particular applicability to the rehabilitation of old asbestos pipelines in which the burst up debris must be contained or encapsulated in some manner. The macro-encapsulation materials shown form an in-situ layer of a temporarily fluid macro-encapsulating material which absorbs and immobilizes asbestos fibers and pipe fragments, the macro-encapsulating material being applied simultaneously as the pipe bursting operation proceeds.

Systems and methods for pipe lining systems and methods of use are described. Systems and methods may include a CIPP lateral liner that is inserted into a bladder forming a CIPP liner assembly that can be inserted into a pipe line for a pipe repair. CIPP liner assembly can include a membrane that produces superior results compared to the prior art. A backing ring may be used with these systems and methods.

A method of inhibiting leakage of a fluid through a defect (4) in a wall of a pipe (2), comprising the steps: introducing a loss control medium (30) into a first portion of a pipe (2); conveying the loss control medium (30) along the pipe from the first portion to a second portion of the pipe, wherein the second portion is embedded in a porous medium and has a defect (4) through which fluid conveyed by the pipe during normal use leaks into the porous medium; and applying a pressure to the loss control medium (30) such that at least a portion of the loss control medium (30) is expelled from the pipe through the defect (4) into the porous medium thereby causing the loss control medium to accumulate within the porous medium in the vicinity of the defect which inhibits flow of a liquid through the defect into the porous medium.

An apparatus and method for installing a liner in a pipe, including a flexible tube assembly (2) with a proximal and a distal end, where the proximal end is attached to a proximal collar fitting (3) and the distal end is attached to a distal collar fitting (4). An inflatable bladder (110) is disposed over the tube (2) and the ends of the bladder (110) are secured to the collar fittings (3,4) forming sealed connections with the collar fittings. The proximal collar fitting (3) has connection means to connect to a guide hose (5), and includes at least one conduit for a fluid to inflate the inflatable and deflate bladder.