In a historic brewery, aging drainage pipes presented mounting challenges to daily operations, with pitted, deteriorated infrastructure threatening efficiency and reliability. Faced with complex underground layouts, tight timeframes, and unexpected obstacles, NuFlow Services of Upstate NY, LLC brought advanced trenchless pipe repair technology to the task, revitalizing the brewery’s pipes without interrupting production. Using NuDrain CIPP and NuTube Inversion, NuFlow’s approach provided a seamless and durable solution tailored to each pipeline’s needs, preserving the brewery’s heritage while securing its future flow.
Project Overview
Genesee Brewery, one of the oldest continually operating breweries in the United States, was founded in 1887 and remains an iconic landmark in Rochester, NY. However, like many historic buildings, its infrastructure faced the challenges of age and wear. The brewery’s condensate and wastewater drainage systems, specifically beneath its main production line, had become severely degraded, with extensive pitting and deterioration. In seeking a solution that would not disrupt operations, Genesee Brewery turned to NuFlow Services of Upstate NY, a NuFlow Certified Contractor, to rehabilitate the compromised piping systems using advanced trenchless technology.
The Challenge
The project was rife with complexities, starting with time constraints. NuFlow Services of Upstate NY was managing a major project in parallel, and the brewery’s schedule limited repair work to weekends and nights. As a result, the team needed a flexible approach to complete the work within the constrained timeframes, using every available hour to ensure continuity of brewery operations.
Moreover, the project presented unexpected infrastructure complications. The deteriorated drainage system included small-diameter pipes of 4, 6, and 8 inches, all in poor shape. During the process of creating access points for these pipes, the team discovered that an 8-inch and a 12-inch pipe at the end of the production line exited into a 15-inch concrete pipe. This pipeline, oddly terminating in an open space resembling an old manhole, revealed that the brewery was actually built over a historical city street, repurposing an existing manhole as part of its drainage system. This unexpected complexity required the team to develop a modified solution to incorporate and line the 15-inch pipe, despite limited access points. With only a small downstream manhole available for a pull-through point, NuFlow Services needed precise planning and innovative techniques to complete the lining without compromising the integrity of the brewery’s operations.
The Solution
To address these challenges, NuFlow Services utilized a systematic approach, tackling each section of the pipe “one liner at a time.” The methodical strategy enabled the team to make significant progress despite the daunting scope of the project. They used a combination of NuFlow’s pull-in-place NuDrain CIPP technology and NuTube Inversion equipment to rehabilitate the deteriorated pipes. NuDrain CIPP was used to line and reinforce the brewery’s smaller-diameter pipes, while NuTube Inversion equipment was utilized for the larger diameter 15-inch concrete pipe, essential for managing the brewery’s wastewater.
NuFlow Services applied these technologies sequentially, successfully lining 46 feet of 4-inch piping, 18 feet of 6-inch piping, 28 feet of 8-inch piping, 24 feet of 12-inch piping, and 26 feet of 15-inch piping. To achieve this, the team employed specialized tools and techniques, including UV curing, which allowed them to install liners even in tight bends and difficult-to-access areas. The combination of NuFlow’s technologies and the expertise of NuFlow Services’ technicians allowed them to install these liners without disruption to the brewery’s operations, which was paramount to meeting the client’s requirements.
The Outcome
Thanks to NuFlow’s advanced trenchless pipe repair technology and NuFlow Services’ adaptable approach, the project was completed within the designated timeframe, even with additional challenges and complexities. The rehabilitated drainage system provided immediate operational improvements, ensuring long-term structural stability without necessitating excavation or extensive downtime. Genesee Brewery was thoroughly impressed with the results, and, appreciating the precision and effectiveness of the rehabilitation, has since invited NuFlow Services of Upstate New York back for additional projects.
This project underscores NuFlow’s capacity to manage complex infrastructure rehabilitation in challenging and historic environments. By combining efficiency, technical innovation, and a dedication to minimizing disruption, NuFlow Technologies and NuFlow Services of Upstate NY LLC delivered a high-quality solution, setting a benchmark in trenchless rehabilitation for legacy infrastructure projects.
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