Cured-in-place pipe
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A cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is a jointless, seamless, pipe-within-a-pipe with the capability to rehabilitate pipes ranging in diameter from six to 96 inches and to negotiate bends. Pipe rehabilitation reduces infiltration and leaks in pipeline systems without digging.
[edit] The CIPP Process
A resin-saturated felt tube made of polyester is inverted or pulled into a damaged pipe. Little to no digging is involved in this trenchless process, making for a more enviromentally-friendly method than traditional "dig and replace" pipe repair methods. Next, hot water or steam is used to cure the resin and form a tight-fitting, jointless and corrosion-resistant replacement pipe. Service laterals are restored internally with robotically controlled cutting devices. The rehabilitated pipe is then inspected by closed-circuit TV.
In 1971, Eric Wood implemented the first cured-in-place pipe technology in London, England. He called the CIPP process insit u form, derived from the Latin meaning "form in place." Wood applied for U.S. patent no. 4009063 on January 29, 1975. The patent was granted February 22, 1977 and was commercialized by Insituform Technologies until it entered the public domain on February 22, 1994.
