SAFETUBE: device development to ensure the integrity and safety of underground pipes during horizontal directional drilling, using intelligence for monitoring and traceability

• Grant number: 21/06593-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Design
• Agreement: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Guerrero da Costa e Silva
• Grantee: Marcos Guerrero da Costa e Silva
• Company: Romitec Indústria e Comércio de Peças e Ferramentas para Perfuração de Solo Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de máquinas-ferramenta
• Pesquisadores principais: Rodrigo Guerrero da Costa e Silva
• Associated researchers: Gabriel Nogueira Rodrigues ; Gabriel Vinicius Assai Vaz ; Rogerio Barretti Gouveia

Abstract

The Horizontal Directional Drilling - HDD, belonging to the set of techniques known as non-destructive methods (NDM), has become widely used in Brazil and worldwide for the implementation and installation of underground pipe networks, however, the development Standardized engineering research and practices for process control and monitoring have not kept pace with the application's rapid growth. During the process using the technique, traction efforts are submitted to the pipes and, when performed at uncontrolled speeds, can damage and compromise its integrity, with a series of risks to society and environmental. The economic and operational problems related to the product currently used as a safety device in the installation of HDD pipes are significant. In addition to the excess of connections, washers, screws, and tools necessary for installation and maintenance, the possibility of work stoppages and trench openings make it difficult to complete the project, increasing its cost and environmental risks. The fact that the solutions currently available on the market do not have any traceability mechanism, leads the absence of guarantees in compliance with the standards established by the bodies, and added to the factors mentioned above, it is clear the need to insert a new product that can solve the problems existing in the market, promoting the safety of the installations and the consequent reduction of the risk of accidents. ROMTEC has in its history, pioneering in the manufacture and nationalization of parts and tools for directional horizontal drilling, reaching a market share of approximately 80% and leading the national market. In the search for alternative solutions, with a profile of interest in current research and technologies, maintaining competitiveness and new markets, ROMTEC's proposal is to optimize an innovative solution already being developed by the company in previous research, and launch horizontal directional drilling in the market a unique product in the fuse range for installation of underground piping. To ensure that the desired results are achieved, scientific-technological research will be concentrated in different lines of work, all of which are the responsibility of ROMTEC. Through the optimization of design and use of plastic injection molding of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), it is expected to guarantee the control of the mechanical properties of the product and to enable large-scale production. Through this technique, its design and dimensional control becomes feasible, ensuring its operation in accordance with the parameters stipulated by inspection bodies, whose proof will be carried out through laboratory and field tests. In addition to its functionalities, this project proposes the incorporation of RFID technology in the product, to allow the traceability and control of the piping installation steps, thus avoiding fraud and enabling better control of the requirements by the inspection agencies. In addition to commercial development, to intensify the market potential of the innovative device, its approval and dissemination. (AU)