What role does innovation play in the maintenance and reliability of assets?
The methods an enterprise uses for the maintenance of their assets can often be those that are tried and tested. Management, stakeholders and asset operators are all comfortable with conventional maintenance practices, and the reliability of said asset can be so dependable that consideration of a new, innovative technique is seen as unnecessary.
However, Hunter Water recently came across a situation where usual repairs to water main assets needed a fresh perspective. The traditional dig and repair approach to the 900 millimetre main would significantly disrupt a busy arterial road, and the choice to use innovation over impact was made.
Using Primus Line technology, Hunter Water proceeded with a trenchless ‘triple line’ solution, where three flexible liners are installed into the pipeline. The first-of-its-kind use in Australia enabled maintenance crews from Hunter Water to access the pipe by digging two trenches, three metres deep by seven metres long, either side of the break location. The three liners were installed into the pipe and inflated, using compressed air, then connected to the remaining pipeline with purpose-built manifolds, giving the business the best option for maximising the flow capacity of the pipeline. The project took eight weeks, with minimal traffic disruption, proving that innovation is critical to swift, cost-effective repairs and maintenance procedures that, importantly service customers’ needs1.
What are some of the ways your business has used innovation in maintenance and reliability of assets? Let us know by emailling communications@amcouncil.com.au so that the Asset Management Council can showcase your business’ positive journey.
Join the Asset Management Council and instantly receive the benefits. We offer reduced rates at our events and conferences, CDP points, free access to our database of technical papers and informative webinars. Learn more about membership here.
1 Info in this paragraph sourced: https://www.hunterwater.com.au/news/australian-first-innovation-delivers-unique-repair-solution-for-hunter-water