The Role of Industrial Slip Lining in Modern Infrastructure

Maintaining modern infrastructure, especially in industrial environments, requires durability and efficiency. Industrial slip lining provides a solution that even aging pipelines in facilities such as power plants, refineries, manufacturing centers, and chemical processing plants can benefit from. With unique challenges in each of these areas, you no longer have to wonder how to rehabilitate without shutting down operations or undergoing costly excavation.

Slip lining is a trenchless pipe rehabilitation method designed to restore structural integrity and extend service life with minimal disruption.

What Is Industrial Slip Lining?

Slip lining is a trenchless pipe repair method that involves inserting a slightly smaller, new pipe into an existing damaged or corroded host pipe. Once inserted, the annular space between the old and new pipes is cured, anchoring the liner in place and effectively creating a new pipe within the old one.

In industrial settings, slip lining offers a reliable solution for rehabilitating pipelines that carry water, chemicals, steam, wastewater, and other critical materials. And there is no need to remove or replace the existing pipeline infrastructure.

Key Applications in Industrial Facilities

Slip lining is commonly used across a wide range of industrial systems, including:

Cooling water and steam lines
Process piping
Corroded sewer and drainage lines
Fire suppression and service water lines
High-pressure and abrasive pipelines

These pipelines are often difficult to access and located under concrete slabs, factory floors, or active operational zones. Slip lining allows for internal restoration without the need for demolition or production downtime.

Top Advantages of Industrial Slip Lining

Minimally Invasive and Non-Disruptive
Cost-Effective Alternative to Full Replacement
Extends Pipeline Life by Decades
Improves Flow Characteristics
Resistant to Harsh Industrial Conditions
Environmentally Friendly Option

How the Process Works

Assessment and Planning: engineers inspect the existing pipeline via CCTV and determine the feasibility of slip lining.
Preparation of the Host Pipe: the host pipe must be clean and clear of debris or obstructions.
Insertion of the Liner Pipe: a prefab liner pipe goes into the host pipe using hydraulic equipment or winches. The liner is typically made of HDPE or a thermoplastic material.
Grouting the Annular Space: once the liner is in place, the gap between the liner and host pipe gets low-density grout. This step locks the liner in place and prevents voids or movement.
Reconnection and Testing: service connections, valves, or junctions prepare to run again. Pressure testing ensures the pipeline meets performance standards before going back online.

Challenges and Limitations

While slip lining offers many benefits, it’s important to understand its limitations:

It reduces the internal diameter of the pipeline, which may affect flow capacity in some cases
It’s not suitable for pipes with severe deformation or total collapse
Bends or joint offsets may complicate installation at times

With proper planning and experienced contractors, these challenges are often manageable.

Industrial Slip Lining: An Investment in Longevity

Slip lining for industrial use can help support modern infrastructure with durability, cost-effectiveness, and non-disruptive solutions. These are great for aging pipes or pipes with damage, and it will extend their lifespan by several decades.