Trenchless direct laying of product piping and pipelines.

Requirement: rapid and uncomplicated pipeline laying
In the past, numerous methods and devices have been developed for the trenchless laying of pipelines in the ground to enable sensitive areas on the surface to be crossed. Geological considerations and time and cost budgets are the crucial factors determining the choice of the most suitable laying technique. Underground pipeline laying poses many problems - for example, how to work in a space-restricted area or circumvent possible obstacles both rapidly and cost-effectively.

Solution: with Direct Pipe your destination is only one step away
The Direct Pipe method combines the advantages of the established laying methods Microtunnelling and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), thereby opening up potential new applications. One single, continuous working operation is sufficient for the trenchless laying of a pre-fabricated pipeline and the simultaneous creation of the necessary bore hole.

As with Pipe Jacking, earth excavation is by means of a Herrenknecht Microtunnelling machine.  The machine is navigable and uses a flushing circuit to transport the excavated material to the surface. Modern and proven controlled pipejacking techniques ensure accurate measurement of the current position along the intended route. The force required to feed the pipeline forward is exerted by a new type of feed device known as the Pipe Thruster. The pressure necessary for the boring process is transferred along the pipeline to the cutterhead.



Commercial advantages of Direct Pipe:
- Single-step method leads to rapid installation of product piping and pipelines
- No time needed for coupling pipes (Microtunnelling) or drill rods (HDD)
- Pipeline can be installed pre-welded and already tested
- Costly shaft construction unnecessary - instead, only simplified surface entry and exit pits are required

Technical advantages of Direct Pipe:
- Ideal method for sea outfalls with access from one side only
- Pipe Thruster enables both tunnelling machine and pipeline to be withdrawn, for example for cutting
   tool retooling operations in inaccessible, low-diameter areas
- Cone crusher removes obstacles as they occur

Application options:
- Pipeline laying from construction pit to construction pit
- Pipeline laying from construction pit to shaft
- Pipeline laying from construction pit to destination point, for example water course beds