OUR HISTORY
As the realisation dawns on more and more countries and people, that water is a finite and very precious resource, the emphasis on the reduction of wastage and leakage, as well as the efficient distribution of water, increases. Even in areas where water is plentiful, non-revenue water still leads to costs which should not have been incurred and to contamination risk, property damage and service interruption as well as costly re-active emergency repairs.
To end this, BIT AS, has developed a highly accurate process, for the first time in the world using Acoustic Resonance Technology for scanning and assessing the structural condition of in-ground metallic water pipes in order to detect both external and internal corrosion and to measure thickness. The in-pipe scanner can also detect leaks and has on board camera to allow a visual assessment of a pipe’s condition. This technology also detects production variance in pipes allowing a more accurate assessment of what corrosion has taken place and allowing more accurate predictions of residual lifetime.
BIT is the only inspection company in the market that yields a complete and reliable picture of the physical condition of metallic pipelines. BIT can effectively identify weaknesses with unprecedented resolution and precision, enabling cost-effective rehabilitation. Where traditional asset management strategies have demanded a complete replacement or structural rehabilitation, BIT inspections have in many cases revealed pipelines in a condition that was good enough to safely postpone rehabilitation for decades. Using proven technology that is resilient to sediments and rust nodules, BIT’s solution overcomes the need for pre-cleaning of the pipe. This unique ability to scan from the inside of a water-filled pipe is especially convenient in hard-to-reach locations, such as under roads and buildings, or through cemeteries.
In 2007, the Company won Norway’s prestigious Engineering Achievement of the Year Award for its development of this technology.
The Company holds the worldwide rights to the ART technology for pipes in the water and effluent sector, remote heating pipes, irrigation pipes and pipes in power stations and water dam regulation systems.
In 1992 Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was commissioned by the Norwegian authorities to develop a method that could detect the amount of residual oil in the sunken German warship Blücher in Oslo fjord, which was leaking oil. An acoustic method was used in order to see through the hull walls. It turned out that the resonance technology that was used also revealed the thickness of the steel wall of the hull.
This formed the basis for DNV’s emphasis on the development of inspection technology, which it then licensed to BIT AS for use in water pipes.
The founder of BIT, John D. Breivoll, had been working with DNV since the late 1980s. When he was introduced to the technology he realized, due to his background in water and effluent management, the great potential for using acoustic resonance technology on water pipes. During the two first decades in the 21st century BIT developed own solutions and technologies which now forms the backbone of company IPR.
Summer 2018 the company was restructured and restarted, upholding competencies, capacities and technologies.