Underground Infrastructure - November 2023 - 31

REHABTECHNOLOGY
Moving Up the Sewer Line Just Got Easier
Advanced Lightweight Aluminum Skids, Nozzles Provide Superior Cleaning
Del Williams
For the municipalities and contractors that clean endless miles
of sewer lines, the goal has always been to clean more with less
effort and fewer resources. Now, the goal is within reach.
Innovation in lightweight skid nozzle stabilizing attachments
is enabling sewer crews to move up the line more easily
than ever, without getting caught on obstructions such as protruding
taps, offsets and deflections.
Today, advancements in skid design can substantially improve
the balance and maneuverability of nozzles and hoses
to speed up sewer cleaning. When used in conjunction with
high-performance nozzles, the combination provides faster
cleaning that uses less power, pressure and water. The approach
not only eases operator workloads, but also reduces the cost of
vacuum truck fuel, water use, and mechanical wear and tear.
Streamlining sewer cleaning
When sewer cleaning (a process also called sewer jetting), a
high-pressure water hose with a specialized nozzle is placed
into the line. Operators release high-pressure water from the
sewer truck to dislodge debris and flush it into a manhole. As
debris is removed, the hose is pushed deeper into the sewer.
Jetting typically involves using between 50 and 85 gallons
of water per minute with a ¾- to 1-inch hose from the truck
to flush out debris lodged in the pipe. Operators may also
use a vacuum to remove dislodged debris and transfer it to
disposal bins.
To maintain stability with the high-volume jetting, operators
generally use nozzle skid attachments to keep the nozzle
and hose centered within the sewer pipe. Today, some designs
go far beyond this basic function and can significantly
improve safety and performance.
" More advanced skids with holes are designed to balance
the nozzle inside the pipe and prevent the nozzle from becoming
airborne and coming out of the manhole, " said Dan
Story, an experienced trainer and operations manager at KEG
Technologies, " Providing additional holes allows the user to
secure the nozzle on the skid while inside the pipe. "
Manufacturer of sewer and storm line products including
Tier 1 to Tier 3 nozzles, chain cutters, floor cleaners
and camera nozzle systems, Spartanburg, S.C.-based KEG is
a member of NASSCO, the National Association of Sewer
Service Companies.
The challenge is that traditional skids are often constructed
of steel, which adds weight and reduces maneuverability within
the sewer line.
In response to these challenges, Story sought to ease
cleaning of sewer lines. Through testing and experimentation,
he discovered a specific technology that could have
major implications for municipalities and contractors tasked
with cleaning more lines with fewer resources.
" I discovered that if I used a high-performance aluminum
nozzle with an aluminum skid, I could gain approximately
30-percent more power than typically available through conventional
options, " he said. " That meant I could lower the
nozzle flow and pressure and still have all the cleaning power
I had before. "
Story further refined the skid design after doing additional
R&D and testing. The new skid design uses a lightweight
aluminum pipe core with protruding plastic fins to provide
nozzle stability without the weight of heavier steel skids. The
design resembles the shape of a " football " to reduce the risk
of snagging on sewer pipe obstructions.
" The design lowers the weight and drag of the skid and nozzle
in the pipe. The lighter the weight, the easier it is to propel
Using a high-performance aluminum nozzle with an aluminum skid can
provide approximately 30-percent more power than typically available
through conventional options.
UndergroundInfrastructure.com | NOVEMBER 2023 31
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Underground Infrastructure - November 2023

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