Water supply network flushing is an essential part of infrastructure maintenance worldwide, as iron and manganese deposits naturally accumulate in all pipelines over time.
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Until now, water supply pipe flushing in the capital was based on releasing a large water flow through fire hydrants. The new German “Comprex” pulse technology allows for much more efficient removal of harmless but visually water-clouding iron and manganese deposits.
The principle of this technology is based on injecting pulsating compressed air and water waves directly into the water supply pipeline. The equipment creates a pulsating water flow that mechanically separates and pushes out the deposits accumulated on the pipe walls. After removing the deposits, the clarity of drinking water in centralized networks improves.
“This is a very significant qualitative leap in network maintenance – we are moving towards precise, automated, and sustainable technology. It is also very important that throughout the entire cleaning process, the drinking water remains completely safe for consumers,” says Viktoras Matonis, Director of the Production Department at “Vilniaus vandenys”.
One of the most significant advantages of the new technology is up to 15 times lower water consumption for the flushing process. For example, flushing a standard diameter water supply pipe using the traditional method may require up to 85 cubic meters of water, while using the new equipment – only about 5.6 cubic meters.
The operator inputs the main network parameters before work, and the further process is controlled by a digital algorithm. The system automatically regulates the pressure and ensures that it never exceeds the existing working water supply pressure, thus eliminating the risk of pipeline damage.
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Since May, when the new “Comprex” system was tested, “Vilniaus vandenys” has flushed almost 8 kilometers of water supply networks.
The equipment is valued at 835 thousand euros, which includes not only the equipment value but also necessary specialist training and equipment maintenance and repair.
Before starting work, 15 company employees were trained to ensure the technology is used as efficiently as possible.
It is important that the flushing process is only one part of the entire maintenance work cycle – prior to this, disconnection planning, coordination, resident information, and technical preparation work are carried out.
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