A Solution For Drinking Water Networks: Emerging New Generation PE100 Pipes With Higher Chlorine Resistance [PE]

(Polyethylene, Lifetime, Disinfectant, PE 100) Polyethylene is sensitive to chemical oxidation through the action of disinfectants used in drinking water, as explained in previous works. Based on accelerated ageing tests (high water temperature, chlorination, high pressure level), SUEZ-ENVIRONNEMENT defined a testing methodology to benchmark plastic pipes according to their resistance to chlorine in drinking water. After 6 years of pipe testing, a new generation of PE100 is emerging. However, chlorine resistance is not the only property required for approving the material’s suitability to drinking water networks. Indeed, antioxidant stability within PE, resistance to UV and temperature during outdoor storage, suitability for welding to other PE materials, resistance to slow crack growth and resistance to notch penetration are also very important factors to investigate for operational validation. This paper illustrates the results on one PE100 pipe modified for higher chlorine resistance, called hereafter “PE100-NEW”. However, as good as this new product is, the key point for operators is its suitability works and the ease in which it can be installed (welding, flexibility, handling, laying conditions). Trials in 3 different areas (South West, South East of France and Paris area) were performed in order to test different field conditions and techniques. Feedback obtained from the pipe fitters is described here.