No-Des Process vs. Ice Pigging™: Real Results Compared
For years, many private water companies and municipalities have debated whether a No-Des process or Ice Pigging™ is the best pipe cleaning solution. Both of these water main flushing procedures have their advantages and disadvantages, but it's evident that one method is better than the other.
If you're a private water company or a municipality representative considering these two methods, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we're going to discuss everything you need to know about these pipe cleaning processes to determine which is the best solution for your pipeline cleaning needs.
To help you decide, we have not only spoken about their differences. We have also outlined why Ice Pigging™, the process offered by American Pipeline Solutions, is the better pipeline cleaning procedure by citing real results comparing these water main flushing procedures.
Water Main Flushing Procedures: No-Des vs. Ice Pigging™
Below, we will compare No-Des vs. Ice Pigging™ so you can decide which is the best option for your project.
No-Des Flushing
Discharge Elimination System (No-Des) is a pipeline flushing method that was developed in the United States to clean pipelines. This pipeline cleaning method is one of the most eco-friendly methods (like Ice Pigging™) that has been created in recent years.
Unlike traditional flushing, methods No-Des allows for minimal water wastage. Additionally, this pipeline cleaning process is effective at removing sediments but not as effective as Ice Pigging™.
Interestingly, the No-Des process is very different from Ice Pigging™. It is also different from traditional pipeline flushing methods involving letting water discharge onto a street after being flushed by opening fire hydrants.
This technology involves pumping water at an incredibly high speed around a section of a water supply network that has been closed off to remove sediment. To do this, a temporary above-ground loop is created by attaching a hose to two fire hydrants.
This water is also pumped through filters that are mounted on the back of a utility truck. Additionally, the No-Des truck that pumps water also adds chlorine to it to ensure a safe level of disinfection is maintained during the pipeline cleaning process.
Ice Pigging™
Ice Pigging™ is a more popular method of cleaning pipelines than No-Des. Although Ice Pigging™ may waste a little more water than No-Des, this method still typically uses 50% less water than traditional flushing methods.
Additionally, Ice Pigging™ is far more effective at removing sediment from pipelines, especially when compared to the No-Des process. This is simply because of the fact that the ice pig offers up to 1,000 x more shear on the inside of the pipe wall. It is also more cost-effective for water companies and municipalities.
With Ice Pigging™, the process is more involved than No-Des, which is another reason why it's more effective at removing sediment. This process utilizes a unique ice slurry mixture known as an "ice pig."
Before an ice pig can be pushed into a pipeline to remove sediment, a pipeline water main must be isolated. Once a section of the main has been isolated, a specialist technician will pump the ice slurry into the pipeline via hoses.
After the slurry (ice pig) has been pumped and while it's being monitored, an upstream valve will be opened to create pressure that will allow the ice pig to move through the pipeline and remove the sediment in its way.
Once the ice pig has made its way to the exit point, it will be discharged into a local sanitary sewer or picked up and deposited into a tanker before it is carefully disposed of safely so as to be no harm to the environment. Ice Pigging™ is often safer than No-Des as it is adaptable to pipe topology and provides a reduced risk of pipeline damage.
Is No-Des or Ice Pigging™ More Expensive?
One of the most significant questions many ask is if the No-Des process of pipeline cleaning is more or less expensive than Ice Pigging™. This question is complex because which process is more expensive will depend on the factors surrounding the pipeline cleaning that needs to be undertaken.
According to experts, the No-Des process will pay for itself over time, which means it has a higher initial cost than Ice Pigging™ for municipalities. So although No-Des is cost-effective, this is a long-term benefit that isn't immediate. However, you should note that the No-Des flushing system has been proven to cost approximately 50% less than unidirectional flushing.
In contrast, many believe Ice Pigging™ to be one of the most cost-efficient pipeline cleaning methods available at present –– even more so than the No-Des process. For example, in 2012, at an AWWA distribution system webinar, Ice Pigging™ was estimated to cost between $1.70 and $5.50 per linear foot. On the other hand, traditional pigging was estimated to cost between $16.10 and $21.00 per linear foot, swabbing between $5.70 and $9.10 per linear foot.
No-Des vs. Ice Pigging™ Real Results Compared: Which Is Better?
It's no secret that the No-Des process has a few benefits, but in many situations, Ice Pigging™ is the better pipe cleaning method. When a real-world comparison was performed, the results revealed that Ice Pigging™ is a better pipeline cleaning solution in many areas. We have discussed the results of this comparison below.
Ice Pigging™ is a cross between flushing and pigging, while the No-Des process is a strictly flushing method using an in-line pipe, making Ice Pigging™ preferable.
The No-Des process has less water usage at up to 1 times the pipe volume, whereas Ice Pigging™ has a water usage volume of 1.25 times the pipe volume. Yet unlike the No-Des method; there is no leaking with Ice Pigging™.
It's been proven that the No-Des method has less daily coverage than Ice Pigging™. The No-Des method has daily coverage of up to approximately 1.24 miles per day, while Ice Pigging™ can impressively cover up to 3 miles of pipe cleaning per day.
Unlike Ice Pigging™ which has a pipe range of between 1 to 42 inches, the No-Des process can only clean pipes that are below 12 inches in size.
In most instances, a water supply will only be interrupted for between 1 to 4 hours during an Ice Pigging™ procedure. In contrast, the No-Des method could require a pipeline interruption for an entire day. Ice Pigging™ also has no other interruptions to its process, while the No-Des process could cause driveway and traffic interruptions.
One of the biggest benefits of Ice Pigging™ is that there is a very low chance of resuspension of sediments, while the No-Des process has a medium to high chance.
Unlike the No-Des method, which can only be utilized for water pipelines, Ice Pigging™ has water plus sewer force mains and siphon applications.
Speak With An Expert At American Pipeline Solutions About Our Ice Pigging™ Process
It's evident that Ice Pigging™ is the better pipeline solution when compared to the No-Des process. Ice Pigging™ is an attractive option for many with more applications and benefits. If you would like to learn more about Ice Pigging™ and why it's the perfect pipeline cleaning solution for your project, you can speak to one of the experts at American Pipeline Solutions. Contact us and we will gladly answer any questions you may have.