In many European countries, light curing is a well-established method in the field of pipe rehabilitation. In Norway, Vitek has for several years been virtually the only company able to offer this method to the market.
– In this field, Vitek in Norway can almost be considered veterans. We have been working on this for many years. As early as autumn 2014, we carried out our first LED installation in Norway in collaboration with the Danish company Aarsleff, says Bengt Rebnord Olsen of Vitek.
Cures with UV light
In pipe rehabilitation, new pipes are installed inside the old ones without the need for excavation. The old pipes are rehabilitated using a liner. The liner is then cured. In Norway, it has been common practice to cure the liner using steam, but light technology is a very good alternative for smaller pipes of smaller diameters (100–225 mm). It can be used for all types of sewer pipes, including branch pipes.
– In short, LED curing is a form of UV curing. The LED light is similar to the light that dentists use to cure fillings. The difference is that the lining we use in the pipes is fibreglass-based, explains Olsen.
Out early
In many European countries, light curing is a well-established method in the field of pipe rehabilitation. In Norway, Vitek has for several years been virtually the only company able to offer this method to the market. In 2015, the company purchased its own vehicle for fibreglass and LED curing.
– The method is used outdoors on underground cables. We do not currently carry out curing using light indoors. We have, however, carried out several hundred installations using UV light. We continue to collaborate with Aarsleff, but we are a supplier-independent company.
– Steam is the most common
Olsen emphasises that, whilst the use of felt lining and steam curing remains the most common method in pipe rehabilitation, the market is changing.
– The difference is that the lining is fibreglass-based. The standard method has been – and remains the most common – felt lining and steam curing. However, several Norwegian companies have now realised that UV technology exists. This is changing the market and demand, says Olsen, who explains that Vitek is carrying out further tests to expand the range of applications for UV light.
– There’s a lot going on in the market at the moment. There are plenty of new solutions on the horizon.