Flowrider™

The Flowrider ™ Long Distance Leak Detection and Inspection Product for all Diameter Water Pipes 8 inches and above

The Flowrider ™ is a second generation inspection tool that offers high quality CCTV footage, coupled with a highly sensitive hydrophone module. The long range inspection unit uses the water flow within a pipeline to travel up to a distance of 1000 metres with the water flow direction.

Technical data

• Lightweight camera sensor
• Low lux video sensor with ultra-bright COB lighting
• Highly responsive hydrophone
• Sensors pressure rated to 16 Bar
• Self-fix camera modules
• Hard drive double screen recording via control box
• CHS – Registered design collapsible Hydrochute system for reduced flow rate restrictions

Control unit

The Flowrider™ includes a rugged military spec box that has an integrated 2 flat screen monitors, and records directly on to high memory hard drive.  External monitor screens can be added using CCTV video out port.

The system comes complete with on-screen meterage overlay, and will operate at 12 volt with integrated rechargeable batteries for use where no mains power is available.

PIPA Hydrochutes and carrier collapse system

PIPA Has registered designs for numerous sized hydrochutes developed for a more central survey image, when being used in conjunction with a floating camera system. Another design feature is a central failure joint in the event of getting a camera stuck whilst surveying a pressurised pipeline; the joint is designed to break open the hydrochute to enable easy system retrieval.

Flowrider™ has an integrated Hydrochute collapse system; this enables long range pipe inspections to be undertaken at lower flow rates, and reduced pressure during sensor retrieval to collapse Hydrochutes at the end of the required survey distance. Another benefit is to obtain a better view of the pipe during the pullback procedure.

System insertion points

The Flowrider™ can enter pressurised pipelines through any type of access fitting that has an opening of 3 inches and above. The fitting must be directly on the top of the main, without any bends in configuration.

The unique system can enter pipelines through specially designed sanitization housing at ground level, or directly on top of the pipe within an excavation or chamber, and can successfully survey pipelines buried at any depth using locking insertion rods as required. The system is especially useful when using through bore style hydrants.

System set up

The system is fully portable, low voltage and battery powered. It can be either vehicle or trailer mounted for ease of use.

The self-stacking motorised cable drum hygienically delivers the desired length of cable required up to 1KM (positive flow) system comes standard with 1050 metre cable.

The control-box unit records distance data during a survey, and accurately measures the cable. Once a survey is completed the CCTV data is overwritten to distance data, to accurately identify any leaks or interesting pipe features identified during a survey. Acoustic data can also be listened to on a live basis during a survey.

The Flowrider™ system also includes a cable trace feature, to map the entire cable deployed within a pipe during a pipe inspection survey.

System propulsion

The system requires a flowrate of 0.3 M/S this can be created by the flushing of hydrants or washouts along the pipeline, or alternatively surveys are planned during peak flow periods. Once the correct survey distance has been achieved, these are then isolated and a full leakage sweep is undertaken during the pullback.

Analysing the data

Once a survey has been completed, the data is processed away from site in a controlled environment. The sound of a leak is clearly understood by a trained leakage technician, and most leaks can be heard from several metres away, with a clear acoustic peak on fluid exit (actual leakage point).

Benefits of using the Flowrider™ platform system:

Size of pipelines- Due to the compact sensor size, the Flowrider can survey pipe sizes 8 inches and above.

Diameter of cable- The cable diameter is only 14mm and offers less friction during a survey. This improves inspection distance and offers the potential to navigate more pipeline bends and at a lessor flow rate than other industry products.

Flowrate required- Due to the light weight micro sensor, the system can be deployed at even low flowrates opposed to other market products.

CHS- Collapsible Hydrochute system for easy sensor retrieval.

Pressure rating- The system sensors are rated to 16 bar pressure.

Size of system- The system can be trailer mounted to make it portable; also it can be easily shipped due to the compact product design.

Lightweight launching device- The unique launching system requires no expensive scaffold for survey set up.

Depths of system launch- The system can be launched in all pipeline bury depths using a unique launch device.

Pipeline entry- The system can enter a pipeline at ground level via a pressurised fitting installed directly on top of the pipeline; this offers a huge cost saving as other companies require deeply buried concrete chambers for system access.

All materials used with the Flowrider product are MIC (materials in contact) compliant for safe use in potable water networks.

System supplied with a PIPA product potable passport, training and all associated spares.

System comprises:

• Motorised delivery cable drum
• 1050 metre neutrally buoyant umbilical cable
• Unique launch system
• Tripod and cable wheel
• Camera and launch delivery drum with cable trace port
• Control box with hard drive recorder
• CHS System to collapse Hydrochutes at survey end
• Chute globe carrier system
• 2 camera sensors
• Hydrochute set and accessories
• Seal set and accessories
• Chlorination set and accessories

System Data

• Accurate leak detection tool for all pressurised water pipes
• Accurate CCTV Inspection tool for all pressurised water pipes
• Can navigate several bends due to compact sensor design
• Unique and registered design of hydrochutes offer CHS and failsafe anti snag system during inspection surveys
• Motorised cable delivery and retrieval drum
• System is silent during operation
• Portable unit due to compact design
• System can be vehicle or trailer mounted
• Battery powered with no external generator required
• Launch tube is lightweight for safe use on fragile pipe risers
• Enters pipe through a 3 inch and above entry point

The Flowrider system is supplied with a 1050 metre cable drum as standard