Underground Construction - September 2022 - 35

EDITION 77 | SEP 2022 | NASSCO.ORG
Of these technology options, there are three that
have emerged in 2022 to take center stage for
emissions reduction: (1) Carbon Filtration; (2)
Thermal Oxidation; and (3) Tube Coating
Containment.
The carbon filtration method, while a bit of an older
design, has incorporated new advances in carbon
science to create filters that have improved
efficiencies to reduce VOC emissions. An example
is the 2022 recipient of the NASTT Abbott
Innovative Product Award for Rehabilitation. The
Aegion LLC filtering system uses selected carbon
and a mesh screening system to aid in water
removal from steam emissions and enhance the
carbon functionality. This technology has seen
successful implementation in several CIPP projects
where the concept has met the targets of being
economical, effective, and portable for crew job
site use. Expect continued advances in this
technology to enhance filtration capability as well
as reduce overall unit weight.
The second technology that has made an entry
into the CIPP industry is the use of thermal
oxidation. Typically, in this process the steam
discharge from CIPP curing passes through a
catalytic converter where it is exposed to high
temperatures. At these temperatures, the VOCs
are destroyed at efficiencies of better than 99%.
Early research indicates these units will be portable
and have various size designs based on the
diameter, length, and thickness of the CIPP being
installed. This technology will also meet the targets
for being economical, effective, and portable for
crews. Looking forward, expect continued
progress on this technology in the near future.
Thermal Oxidation
Finally, there is a third technology advancing
regarding the tube coatings used that could reduce
styrene levels. While this concept is relatively new
for heat cured CIPP, this system was entered by
Applied Felts as a nominee for the NASTT Abbott
Innovative Product Award. The basic concept in
this design, is that a polyester multi-layer felt tube
would have a coating that is a styrene barrier. This
newly designed coating significantly reduces the
penetration of styrene emissions by preventing the
migration of styrene through the tube coating
during the entire CIPP process. Since it is a
coating, it meets all the targeted goals put forward.
In summary, while some scientific studies indicate
that styrene released into the environment is broken
down quickly and poses a low environmental risk,
this is an exciting time for advances to reduce any
VOCs released during the CIPP process. These
new technologies are most certain to have a
positive impact on the industry at it continues to
move forward with protecting our infrastructure
while being safe for workers, the public and the
environment.
TECH TIPS IS A BI-MONthly article on
trends, best practices and industry
advice from NASSCO's Trenchless
Technology membership PROFESSIONALS
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Underground Construction - September 2022

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