Cadent and ULC Pilot New 12” CISBOT Robot in Northampton
Project Overview
Cadent Gas and ULC Technologies have now completed the first deployment of the newest iteration of CISBOT in the UK. With multiple leaks along a 124-year-old, low-pressure 12-inch cast iron gas main along Commercial Street, the utility was facing high costs and significant roadway disruption associated with typical repair methods. Successfully deployed since 2009, Cadent turned to CISBOT to help combat the ever-increasing costs of leak repair and mains replacement programs.
Cadent Gas has been a critical partner to ULC for many years. The British gas distribution company owns, operates, and maintains the largest natural gas distribution network in the UK. Transporting gas to customers across 11 million homes and businesses through 131,966km (82,000 miles) of pipelines from Northwest England, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, to North London.
Commercial Street in Northampton was identified as a prime project location for CISBOT due to the low-pressure 12-inch cast iron main running under a congested car park and one of the main routes to the busy town center to the east, as well as a major 4-lane carriageway to the west that would have been traditionally costly/disruptive to address with other remediation methods.
With just two small excavations, the CISBOT robot was able to enter the live 12-inch gas main and seal a total of 67 joints, spanning 196m (643ft), eliminating any leaking joints and preventing new leaks from forming for many years to come. In addition, using a solar-powered workstation container significantly reduces not only noise for nighttime operation, but also carbon emissions and fuel consumption compared to operating from a large work van, further promoting cleaner, more sustainable job sites.
Location: Northampton, England
Pipe Diameter: 12″
Joints Sealed: 67
Project Duration: 12 days
Results:
- Bar hole readings confirmed all leaking joints were successfully sealed
- Overall major project cost savings utilizing trenchless remediation methods
- No disruption to customers’ gas services
Challenges
Gas main replacement programs are extremely costly in Northampton based on several factors of roadway restoration, including the extent of excavation, the type of surface being reinstated, and local authority requirement.
Standard gas main replacement projects require trenching to daylight large sections of the main, causing not only costly excavation and reinstatement, but also heavy disruption and closures along commuter roadways.
Special circumstances in this area, such as large car parks for the local shops and a busy 4-lane carriageway, can contribute to above-average costs. CISBOT’s minimally invasive methodology allows for easy access within the main up to 240m/800ft in either direction from one small 2x2m/6x6ft excavation, removing the need for trenching and large-scale roadway blockages.
“The infrastructure here in Northampton is old and densely packed, making access and excavation tricky. We also must coordinate closely with the local council and residents to minimize disruption — especially in historic areas where preserving the character of the town is just as important as upgrading the network,” says Richard Sansom, Cadent East Midlands Network Director. “Safety and precision are non-negotiable, and that means careful planning and the right technology –CISBOT– is paramount.”
In addition to repairing any currently leaking joints, CISBOT’s capabilities help utilities combat future financial impact by preventing any future leaks.
Solution
Cadent Gas has been utilizing CISBOT for internal robotic cast iron joint repair under live conditions since initial deployments on iconic London streets such as Oxford Street, Park Lane and The Strand starting back in 2018. Through funding in 2023, ULC Technologies has been working to scale down CISBOT’s capabilities to address 12-inch cast iron mains. After successful trials in the US, the ULC team was ready to take the trip across the pond and identified Northampton as a prime project location.
While CISBOT usually provides the benefit of minimal road closures, the teams were able to collaboratively plan the launch pit and small site footprint utilizing our eco-friendly work station container within the car park, leading to zero commuter blockages. From this pit, we were able to access and seal joints under a 4-lane carriageway 61m (200ft) to the west. Any other gas main remediation options would have required large-scale excavations, extensive road closures, major traffic support, and disruptive gas service shutoffs.
Project Results
Cadent and ULC Technologies were able to successfully seal 67 joints from within the 124-year-old 12” diameter low-pressure cast-iron gas main over 12 working days. Through two minimally invasive excavations, CISBOT was able to traverse a total of 196m (643ft) in the pipe, sealing joints every 2.7m (9ft). While only a few joints were identified as leaking during the project identification phase, post-op readings displayed the success of the robot’s sealant leading to 0% gas leakage across the 12-inch cast iron pipeline.
It was also discovered that initial utility mapping had incorrectly shown the location of the tie-in with the 8-inch main, resulting in 3 additional joints being sealed located under the 4-lane carriageway to the west. This information was passed onto Cadent for their records and updating of their maps.
“The technical and environmental success here surrounding the first UK deployment of our 12-inch CISBOT, coupled with those in the US, was instrumental in gaining G/23 approval from the utilities,” says ULC Engineering Project Manager, Mersim Redzematovic. “This approval has the robot positioned for additional commercial work packages later this year and beyond.”
ULC helped address gas readings in Northampton to ensure the safety of the public through the elimination of any potential emissions release. CISBOT helps manage critical assets in both a reactive and proactive methodology, while Cadent continues to see the positive results this proven technology offers, not only to the utility itself, but to the surrounding community and the environment.
To learn more about 12” CISBOT, visit our web page or contact us.