In-Situ Applied Omniphobic Coatings for Water Pipeline Repair and Retrofitting

Many pipelines within America’s infrastructure are in dire need of repair, due to structural damage caused by corrosion, or the threat of heavy metal leaching from lead and copper pipes. However, full pipe replacement is expensive and disruptive, while existing polymer liners and sleeve inserts can only_x000D_ be applied in specific cases and have difficulty bonding to worn and contaminated surfaces. Oceanit proposes using its omniphobic, corrosion resistant, non-toxic, multifunctional coating to protect the interior of these pipelines. Oceanit’s coating can be applied via an in-situ, trenchless pigging process that allows for heavily corroded pipes to be retrofitted and refurbished in place. Furthermore, the omniphobic coating system is capable of eliminating metal ion diffusion, addressing the need to limit lead levels in drinking water, and reducing reliance on constant injection of corrosion inhibitors. The proposed technology would be of significant interest to the 160,000 public water systems subject to the Safe Drinking Water Act, and would allow these municipalities to keep up with the estimated cost of $343 billion over the next 15 years needed for pipeline maintenance.