Who says pigs aren't kosher! As Israelis face a hike of up to 41% in their water bills to compensate for droughts and new desalination techniques, an Ashkelon company claims it may help to save up to 30% of the 88 billion litres of water lost to pinhole leaks in water pipes, every day, worldwide.
And their secret? 'Pigs'! Curapipe claims to have devised a gadget which detects and repairs problems lying below the radar of the water and gas industries. Tiny pinhole, almost undetectable leaks emit water, oil and natural gas, wasting money and causing unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, the World Bank estimates that about 88 billion litres of water is lost through urban pipes every day - in both rich countries like the USA and poorer ones where every drop counts.
Traditionally, water companies deal with tiny cracks in pipes by reducing water pressure. But this technique is simply delaying expensive repairs so Curapipe's cost-effective solution can seal leaks fast, with little inconvenience to the customer.
The company's solution is based on an existing method to clean water mains - small spongy objects known as 'pigs.' Water maintenance teams suspend the water supply while a 'pig' is pushed through the system using water pressure. As the pigs are propelled through the pipes they remove scale and other types of unwanted build-up. The pigs work in pipes made of lead, cast iron and even concrete.
Curapipe's device employs two pigs with a sealant material held between them. If they find a crack or leak as they are pushed through the water pipes in the normal way, a composite material is squirted to fill the gap. The material then hardens in place. Once the pipe has been flushed with water to clean it, it returns to normal use.
Curapipe now awaits a 'seal of approval' from regulatory bodies and health officials confirming that the technique does not affect the quality of drinking water.
Astoundingly, Curapipe is only three years old with a tiny staff of seven. Its next task is to look at the problems in natural gas mains. Natural gas, made mostly of methane, can be a potent greenhouse gas, more potent than its carbon dioxide equivalent.
Curapipe is now working with the Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company, Israel's major oil pipeline company, to test the 'pigs' in both water pipes and oil pipes. The solution could also prevent devastating leaks and oil spills in nature. Next, we'll learn they've learned to fly!
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