Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Trenchless Water Main Point Repairs with SuperLaminate
EPA Contract Number: 68HERD19C0018Title: Trenchless Water Main Point Repairs with SuperLaminate
Investigators: Sever, Veysel F
Small Business: QuakeWrap, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2019) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): Phase 1 (2019) , SBIR - Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation
Description:
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Conclusions:
- Develop a pipe rover with Bominwell Robotics
- Improve the inflatable packer to clear the bends without significant drag
- Add a heating feature to the packer
- Obtain a pipe cleaning partner and implement pilot installations
- Create more awareness of SuperLaminate™, and receive more stakeholder input
- Develop a marketing strategy
- Enhance and implement the preliminary business model outlined in Phase I
In addition to achieving the proof of concept via lab tests, the QuakeWrap team had made significant progress on the commercialization front of the SuperLaminate™ project. Our Phase I activities include consulting with Foresight and assisting them with the Evaluation Report, establishing a partnership with Bominwell as the exclusive maker of the robotic pipe rover and investor, obtaining support from major utilities, industry leaders, and even some of the other players of the industry with potentially competing technologies. Now our objective is to make SuperLaminate™ market ready with our partners after a pilot installation and complete business model. Our initial target markets are USA and Canada, then China and Europe, and eventually the larger cities in the whole world with a wide network of certified installers.
- Established a partnership with Bominwell Robotics as an investor and exclusive maker of the rover to be used for pulling the SuperLaminate™ to the repair point inside the pipe.
- Consulted with Foresight Science and Technology and assisted them with the outreach to leading companies and utilities as well as preparation of the Commercialization Assessment Report. (Submitted to the EPA/SBIR in October, 2019.) The report enabled us to receive an outside perspective on the market value of SuperLaminate™ . Among several other findings, the Foresight report indicated that there is no substitute to the SuperLaminate™ technology. Furthermore, Foresight sees a synergy where the SuperLaminate method becomes the "go to" or primary method used by a water utility, since they can use it in all pipe break cases- straight pipe access and with access from a point around a bend.
- Designed a video animation for introduction of the SuperLaminate™ system, and had it produced by a third-party specializing in the technology. The animation emphasizes the EPA/SBIR grant and is narrated by a communication professional. It can be viewed on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlL6yhfV2Ok
- Conducted a survey of water utilities to collect data and information mainly on the condition of their water mains, replacement practices, and their openness to a new, no-dig method for point repair of water mains.
- Attended and exhibited at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Infrastructure Conference (WIC) in St. Louis, MO and showcased SuperLaminate™ with the video animation.
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.