Method of lining a tubular structure with a plastics liner pipe comprising the steps of:—temporarily reducing an outside diameter of the liner pipe by passing the liner pipe through a roller system;—cooling the liner pipe once its outside diameter has been reduced and applying a thermal restraint;—transporting the liner pipe to an installation site remote from the roller system;—removing said thermal restraint; and—installing the liner pipe in said tubular structure at said installation site.

A method for filling a gap with a filler material, enabling prevention of inflow of the filler material into an air removing tool through its opening before complete removal of air from the gap, and enabling uniform filling of the gap with the filler material. The gap is between an existing conduit and a lining material provided inside the existing conduit. The method includes: inserting an air removing tool into an air removing hole bored through the lining material, and bringing a leading end face of the air removing tool into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the existing conduit; and injecting the filler material into the gap while expelling air from the gap through a leading end of the air removing tool, the air removing tool including, at its leading end, an air removing portion through which air is discharged.

A method for filling a gap with a filler material, enabling prevention of inflow of the filler material into an air removing tool through its opening before complete removal of air from the gap, and enabling uniform filling of the gap with the filler material. The gap is between an existing conduit and a lining material provided inside the existing conduit. The method includes: inserting an air removing tool into an air removing hole bored through the lining material, and bringing a leading end face of the air removing tool into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the existing conduit; and injecting the filler material into the gap while expelling air from the gap through a leading end of the air removing tool, the air removing tool including, at its leading end, an air removing portion through which air is discharged.

A steam generator for use with a liner assembly for pipeline repair or reinforcement, includes: a water heater configured to heat water to generate steam; a water feed conduit configured to convey water to the water heater; an air heater configured to generate heated air; an air supply conduit configured to convey pressurized air to the air heater; a heated air supply conduit configured to convey heated air from the air heater to the water heater to yield a steam-air mixture; and an output conduit configured to convey the steam-air mixture from the water heater. An automated steam generator system including the steam generator is also described.

A steam generator for use with a liner assembly for pipeline repair or reinforcement, includes: a water heater configured to heat water to generate steam; a water feed conduit configured to convey water to the water heater; an air heater configured to generate heated air; an air supply conduit configured to convey pressurized air to the air heater; a heated air supply conduit configured to convey heated air from the air heater to the water heater to yield a steam-air mixture; and an output conduit configured to convey the steam-air mixture from the water heater. An automated steam generator system including the steam generator is also described.

A method and system for inserting a liner and lining pipes from inside a water main or other larger pipe. The method and system generally includes inserting a string inside the first pipe between a first end and a second end, inserting the string through a liner positioning tool, attaching a first end of the string to the liner, and then pulling the liner into the first pipe with the first string such that the liner extends from the first end to the second end of the pipe. One end of the string may be attached to the liner by a pulling insert, which may be a threaded insert that screws into an end of the liner, and which may further include a fluid passage to allow hot water or other fluid to flow through the insert while the string is connected to it.

A method and system for inserting a liner and lining pipes from inside a water main or other larger pipe. The method and system generally includes inserting a string inside the first pipe between a first end and a second end, inserting the string through a liner positioning tool, attaching a first end of the string to the liner, and then pulling the liner into the first pipe with the first string such that the liner extends from the first end to the second end of the pipe. One end of the string may be attached to the liner by a pulling insert, which may be a threaded insert that screws into an end of the liner, and which may further include a fluid passage to allow hot water or other fluid to flow through the insert while the string is connected to it.

An integrity monitoring system for a lined pipeline is provided for monitoring the integrity of a polymer liner in a host pipe. Methods and apparatus are described by which a lined pipeline is provided with such an integrity monitoring system. Sensor cable is able to bridge a joint between sections at lined pipe, for example by routing the sensor cable across the joint via a channel in an electrofusion fitting or by connecting successive lengths of sensor cable via pass-throughs in an electrofusion fitting. Advantageously, the sensor cable is disposed within a continuous annulus between linings and host pipes, and the continuous annulus is maintained across pipe joints using electrofusion fittings.

An integrity monitoring system for a lined pipeline is provided for monitoring the integrity of a polymer liner in a host pipe. Methods and apparatus are described by which a lined pipeline is provided with such an integrity monitoring system. Sensor cable is able to bridge a joint between sections at lined pipe, for example by routing the sensor cable across the joint via a channel in an electrofusion fitting or by connecting successive lengths of sensor cable via pass-throughs in an electrofusion fitting. Advantageously, the sensor cable is disposed within a continuous annulus between linings and host pipes, and the continuous annulus is maintained across pipe joints using electrofusion fittings.

An expandable pipe for restoring a damaged pipe is provided. The expandable pipe includes a liner formed of thermoplastic polyurethane, and grout material applied to the exterior surface of the liner. The exterior surface includes a plurality of flared tips and grooves, and each groove is located between adjacent flared tips. The grout material is disposed on the flared tips and in the grooves of the liner. The method used to restore the damaged pipe includes clamping the liner with the grout material on a puller-sealer fixture having a U-shaped cross-section to prevent debris from entering the interior of the liner, and pulling the puller-sealer fixture and liner through the damaged pipe. The grout material expands in volume upon exposure to moisture, ultra violet radiation, heat, and/or ultrasonics, and fills cracks or other imperfections and voids along the interior surface of the conduit, caused by corrosion, erosion, or other circumstances.