HeatWork opens frozen culverts

This winter, the Norwegian National Rail Administration’s Department of Infrastructure Management (North), the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Mesta and the Municipality of Narvik will be testing the newly developed HeatWork Ice Guard Systems to unblock frozen culverts, drains and flood control systems.

The pilot project could resolve the massive challenge of ice blocking waterways
With the assistance of Narvik-based HeatWork, these group of authorities will test the method on their systems. Every winter, there are countless incidents involving frozen culverts. A simple, cost-effective solution would be hugely beneficial and represent significant savings.

These various authorities and HeatWork, which is launching its new system, have agreed to work together to test the system in different settings. The experiences gained from this project will help pinpoint the most efficient method for the practical application of the system in these kinds of sites.
The system and method are both patent pending.

Flood damage totalling hundreds of millions last winter
Frozen culverts and subsequent flood damage are a major social concern. For the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Norwegian National Rail Administration’s Department of Infrastructure (North) and the Municipality of Narvik, we are talking costs amounting to tens of millions of kroner last winter. For Norway as a whole, the amount is probably several hundred million kroner. In addition, the social costs associated with road and rail closures, delays and revenues lost are also significant.

Very promising project
HeatWork Ice Guard Systems looks extremely promising and could have a significant future impact on the challenges these authorities have been battling for many years. The traditional method of solving the problem is using steam, which is very labour-intensive and has its limitations. The new method is based on installing permanent systems with long lifespans that can melt ice and unblock waterways easily and efficiently. If the experiences of last winter with thousands of frozen culverts is any indication, this new method has the potential for considerable savings in terms of money and other resources.

HeatWork is confident the system will be successful
HeatWork is well established in the market, and feedback from customers is extremely good. The company is currently venturing into new markets and areas of application. Testing into ice thawing capabilities, including tests in surface-water systems, has yielded extremely good results. With 100 kW of power and 100-degree fluids circulating in hoses or pipes, the machine is a mobile power plant with many different areas of application.
HeatWork Ice Guard Systems is one of many new products HeatWork plans to launch in the time to come.