Applications & Jointing
Plastic Pipes Conference Association # 1995 Edinburgh
Lowdon, Chantre, Brown
The Water Distribution Technical Centre
Lyonnaise des Eaux operates a network of three water distribution technical centres which serve the needs of the Lyonnaise des Eaux Group in the area of potable water distribution technology. The main centre, known as the Water Distribution Technical Centre (WDTC), is based at North East Water's Head Office in Newcastle upon Tyne. Part of the remit of the WDTC is to assess new materials appearing on the market for their suitability to the Lyonnaise des Eaux Group. This, coupled with the findings of the 1992 research study as outlined below’, were the primary catalysts for the collaboration between North East Water and Uponor over Molecularly Orientated PVC (MOPVC), a collaboration which began in 1992 and which continues apace today.
Materials Selection Strategy
In recent years, a number of studies have been carried out by Lyonnaise des Eaux which have revealed the value of developing systematic and consistent approaches to pipeline materials selection. One such study''’, commissioned in 1992 as part of the Lyonnaise des Eaux applied research programme, investigated the economics of laying three different types of pipe material - Polyethylene, PVC and Ductile Iron, over a range of diameters. The results, which do not include reinstatement costs, are shown in Fig.1.
From the graph, it can be seen that over the range of most commonly laid diameters (<315mm dia.), PVC is the most economic material to lay, based purely on cost per linear metre. There are, however, other factors which must be taken into consideration when making one's choice.
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