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- X-ID - Cross Bore Inspection Services
X-ID - Cross Bore Inspection Services
ULC Technologies, LLC’s patented X-ID® Cross Bore Detection technology deploys directly into newly installed or legacy PE gas mains to detect cross bores while eliminating the need to enter sewer mains and laterals.
Accurate Location
The automated process delivers an accurate location of a cross bore so crews can resolve the issue before gas is introduced.
Increased Coverage
Our patented process is less likely to be hampered by debris within the laterals to reduce inaccessible conditions and increase coverage.
Reduce Test Holes
By reducing or eliminating inaccessible conditions, it minimizes the need to excavate along the bore path.
Eliminate Sewer Inspections
Deployed after new HDD installs or to address legacy cross bore inspection programs, our process can minimize dependency on sewer lateral inspections.
Optimal Inspection Environment
The sewer system is a challenging inspection environment due to roots, debris, water, offset pipe and branches. The X-ID sensor is launched into the PE gas main or service, which is cleaner and easier to access.
Live Entry Capabilities
ULC’s sensor can enter live PE gas mains and services to deliver data after gas has been introduced into new HDD installs or in conjunction with legacy programs.
A unique acoustic pattern is introduced into the sewers from two manhole locations. The pattern uses a series of frequencies that are more difficult to be muffled by disturbances generated by outside noise such as traffic.
Sound travels easily in pipeline environments, even when significant obstacles and blockages are present. ULC’s acoustic pattern travels hundreds of feet to ensure full coverage in the sewer main and laterals from manhole to manhole.
ULC’s custom-developed sensor is deployed into the PE gas main or service to listen for the acoustic signal. Our technology can be deployed immediately after HDD before the gas is introduced or it can be deployed in live mains and services to support legacy cross bore inspection programs.
While sound can easily travel in pipes, ULC’s acoustic signal is attenuated by the soil. When the gas main and sewer lateral are far enough apart, the acoustic signal cannot be detected from inside the gas main.
In the event of a cross bore condition where the pipes intersect, the acoustic signal will be captured from within the gas main. This allows our team to accurately detect the presence of a cross bore, including minimal intersection at the top and bottom of the sewer lateral. Data captured by our operator-qualified field crews can also identify near misses within 12 inches of the lateral.
Our team is able to determine where the acoustic signal is the strongest and mark out the location on the street surface. By providing accurate location data, utility crews can efficiently excavate over the cross bore to conduct any investigation and repair.