SmartFoam Tool for Integrity Testing
Montauk Services is one of North America's most experienced pigging and testing companies. They are known as pioneers in the pigging of water and force mains for over 37 years. Montauk has heard continual requests by Engineers and Municipalities for a free flowing pig that could determine wall degradation in cast iron ductile and steel mains. Montauk Services SmartFoam Tool is a specialized smart pig with the same characteristics as the foam poly pig. It can run long lengths of pipe, navigate T’s and elbows (up to 1.5’ diameter) and be retrieved in an excavation or terminus manhole. The information generated by the SmartFoam Tool identifies critical information including:
Pipe wall anomalies and wall degradation
Precise locations
Pipe wall ID change
All fittings and valves
Overhead “birds eye views” of the entire main
SmartFoam Tool is run similar to a cleaning pig utilizing a systems pressure and flows. These innovative tools combine the benefits of advanced electromagnetic sensors with simple and easy to deploy foam pigs. The result is a highly capable in-line inspection tool that is able to negotiate complex geometry pipelines while inspecting for internal corrosion and cracking.
Montauk is working with similar technology for identification and location of leaks as small as one g.p.m. and will produce the same data minus wall degradation as the SmartFoam Tool. This tool is primarily for water distribution systems and can be launched and retrieved through fire hydrants. It can also be utilized in force mains up to 12".
For over 37 years, Montauk has delivered exceptional water and force main cleaning services as well as hydrostatic testing and chlorination. Montauk is known in the pipeline industry for complex and large diameter intakes and outfall cleaning, transmission mains and wastewater treatment plant typing.
In 2018, Montauk worked with the City of Toronto to clean three sixty-inch diameter HDPE raw water intakes at the Island Water Treatment Plant. Quagga Mussels adhering to the interior wall of the HDPE pipe created flow turbulence which diminished the volume of water delivered to the facility and caused increased pumping cost. After the pigging, C-Factor analyses performed by the City demonstrated water flow conditions better that when the pipelines were new. The quagga mussels and any other build up reducing water flow had been completely cleared.
Another recent project for Charlotte, North Carolina, Montauk pigged 14 miles of an 8” sludge line which decreased operational pressures by 50%. This decreased the chances of main breaks and restored the pipe condition to the original start up flows and pressure.
Since 1986, Montauk Services has been known among municipalities for the unique combination of institutional knowledge, expertise and innovation. Montauk Services specialize in pipeline pigging services and equipment for pressure pipeline cleaning, focusing on water and wastewater. The company offers turnkey, joint venture and technical support on a time and material basis. Launchers, receivers, tracking equipment and foam pigs are also available for rent and purchase. Public utilities who need cleaning and integrity testing for transmission and distribution lines, wastewater force mains, intake/outfalls and wastewater treatment count on Montauk. The company was founded by Rex Murphey, CEO.
Reprinted from Municipal Sewer & Water Digest, October 2019