Rapid Encapsulation of Pipelines Avoiding Intensive Replacement REPAIR
DE-FOA-0002289
Grants.gov  https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=324615
ARPA-E  https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdb92dccb1-38ac-4677-86de-...
Preapplication not applicable; Full application due April 20, 2020 9:30 am ET.

REPAIR seeks to develop the suite of technologies required to rehabilitate cast iron, wrought iron, and bare steel natural gas distribution pipes by developing technologies that will enable the automated construction of a new pipe inside the old pipe. In order for the program to be successful, the new pipe must meet utilities’ and regulatory agencies’ requirements, have a minimum life of 50 years, and have sufficient material properties to operate throughout its service life without reliance on the exterior pipe. Today, older gas distribution pipes are typically excavated and replaced at costs up to $10 million per mile.

REPAIR will advance the state of gas distribution pipelines by incorporating smart functionality into structural coating materials and developing new integrity/inspection tools. It will also create 3D maps that integrate natural gas pipe and adjacent underground infrastructure geospatial information with integrity, leak, and coating deposition data. The cost target is $500k to $1 million per mile, including gas service disruption costs.