The company performed a world first by repairing a leaking pipe from the inside using the new technique. The concept works by inserting Platelets® into a water pipe through points along the network to seal the leak from the inside without the need to interrupt customers’ water supplies or dig up the road.

Originating from the medical concept of platelets in the human bloodstream, the technology has the potential to revolutionise the way leaks are repaired and reduce the impact on customers.

Head of Innovation at Yorkshire Water Simon Barnes said “We had already set ourselves the target of achieving zero interruptions and zero excavations in the highway by 2010 which meant we were on the look out for technology which would help us to achieve this.”

Technological thinking

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Brinker Technology conceived the idea for use in the oil and gas industry. The application to water supply networks has been developed in partnership with Yorkshire Water.

The development of a Platelet solution utilises advanced engineering processes which include analytical and numerical modelling, flow loop and pressure vessel testing and material compatibility analysis, said Brinker Technology.

The technology has been used successfully in a number of oil and gas field applications in the North Sea. From the initial operation on a water injection line in BP’s Foinaven field in 2004, successful operations have subsequently been carried out for other operators such as Shell and Norsk Hydro.

Repairing water lines

“We are trialling the technology now to understand its potential to repair different types of bursts. Because its use does not require us to dig holes in the road to get to the leak, there are lots of benefits to be had in repairing difficult-to-access problems like those under busy railway lines or roads,” said Mr Barnes

“The future benefits of the technology are huge; from the day-to-day repair of bursts to the reduction of leakage levels and holes in the road. It will bring the repair and maintenance of the water network into the 21st century.

The Platelets have undergone and passed stringent British Standard tests for materials that come into contact with drinking water and Yorkshire Water carried out extensive consultation with Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Consumer Council for Water before carrying out the trials.

Chair of the Consumer Council for Water Northern Andrea Cook said “We welcome this initiative which will make people’s lives easier. There will no longer be a need to switch off a consumer’s supply while work is completed and there will also be reduced disruption on the roads. We believe customers of Yorkshire Water will see this as a great benefit.”