Vibranium is the fictional metal invented by comic book writers that has fantastical properties that would allow gas mains and other metal objects to remain in the ground forever without rusting or springing a leak. In real life, engineers have to innovate to find solutions to modern challenges, such as giant leaky pipes.
Recently, our team employed a cured-in-place liner installation technology to successfully repair a 42-inch high-pressure underground gas main in a way that prevents leaks, enhances safety, protects the environment and ensures reliable gas delivery to all of northern New Jersey. According to the North American Society for Trenchless Technology, this is the first application of this technology for such a large-scale project.
While we might prefer to replace all old cast-iron and steel pipes with plastic, some are so large – and in locations where protracted work would be too disruptive to surrounding communities – that we need to repair them. One of the best processes for making repairs quickly, affordably and effectively is to add a durable lining, an extremely difficult task, particularly when performed during some of summer’s hottest days.
Even with this added complexity – a gas main that runs partly under the Garden State Parkway in East Orange – we finished the project on time and on budget. The job took months of planning, many partnerships and the team’s hard work, dedication and technical guidance. The work was completed without incident, in temperatures that some days exceeded 90 degrees, while ensuring safe and reliable natural gas delivery long into the future.
Why line the main?
Old pipes in need of repair leak small amounts of gas into the atmosphere, including methane – a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon. We replace many pipes completely, yet some mains are just too large and located in places where digging them up for replacement isn’t feasible. Lining the main with special materials stops the leaks.
Fortunately, our team had a head start on this massive project because we utilized the cured-in-place liner technology on a 36-inch main in South Orange in 2018.
Employees representing Orange Gas, Gas Construction and Asset Management cut four sections of the 42-inch gas main to install the liner and Weko-Seals. A Weko-Seal is a commercial process that prevents leaks inside pipe joints and is generally faster, less expensive and longer-lasting than other methods. Once the liner and seal work was complete, the team replaced the cut sections of the 42-inch main with steel pipe. As safety is always the No. 1 priority for PSE&G, team members wore proper personal protective equipment and stayed hydrated throughout the project.
The project team included PSE&G Gas Construction, Orange Gas, Plainfield Gas, and Asset Management with assistance and/ or coordination from City of East Orange, Essex County, George Harms Construction, New Jersey Transit Authority, Progressive Pipeline Management, Miller Pipeline, Team Furmanite and Waters & Bugbee.
Gas System Modernization
Customers all over New Jersey may witness much smaller gas main repairs in their own neighborhoods. PSE&G crews are replacing up to 875 miles of gas pipes and making other infrastructure improvements over the next five years as part of the second phase of our Gas System Modernization Program.
GSMP II is part of PSEG’s Powering Progress vision for the future of energy. These infrastructure upgrades replace aging cast-iron and unprotected steel gas pipes with strong, durable plastic, which is much less likely to leak and release methane; install excess flow valves that automatically shut off gas if a service line is damaged and better support the use of high-efficiency appliances; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and ensure the continued safety of gas service for our customers.
To learn more about gas work in your neighborhood, visit pseg.com/gaswork.
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