Hot Water & Industrial Applications
Plastic Pipes Conference Association # 2004 Milan
Schemm, Van de Vliet, Koennecke, Grasmeder
Polybutene-1 (PB-1) is a relatively unexplored polyolefin which shares many features in common with conventional polyolefins like polypropylene and polyethylene, while at the same time offering versatility, value and opportunity through a range of properties not usually associated with this type of resin. Pipes made from PB-1 have been in the market since the mid 1960’s. Due to the strategic importance of PB-1 to Basell’s busines portfolio, the company developed an innovative process technology using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system to produce PB-1. Since 2003 a 45 KT plant using this technology has been in operation at Moerdijk, The Netherlands. The new technology has allowed Basell to improve on PB-1 properties and has resulted in a new generation of PB-1 resins for pipe applications. When applying the MRS classification used for conventional polyolefins (20°C, 50 yrs), the new generation PB-1 could be classified as PB 140. For a plastic pipe producer, a stronger resin can result in a substantial material saving, hence a lower production cost; for the installer, a stronger resin can result in a lighter pipe combined with a comparable creep performance and even greater flexibility. The flexural modulus of the old and new generation materials is similar, allowing for fast installation speed and a limited requirement for fittings. For small diameter pipe, flexibility is an important installation advantage (e.g. wall heating application); for larger diameter pipe applications, a “flexible” pipe can offer specific advantages. Together with our customers we have evaluated the weldability of the different PB-1 products and found them to be similar. With PB-1 being used by our customers in both extrusion and injection moulding, fittings from PB-1 can also be produced, resulting in a wide variety of available jointing techniques. These go from the classical compression or crimp fittings, over push-fit systems, to socket- and electrofusion fittings. Local traditions and specific installation requirements appear to define the jointing technique used. As PB-1 piping systems developed by our customers can be made out of a single material it makes them potentially easily recyclable. PB-1 can be viewed as an environmental friendly material for other reasons too; less weight per meter; the molecular architecture of the polymer remains essentially unchanged through extrusion and injection moulding to final transport of water in an installation, just the form is different; and let us not forget its mechanical performance, an indicator of its durability in service. As we are just about to start to explore the boundaries of our new technology, we consider the properties of the “next generation” PB-1 materials as a starting point. We continue to work on improving the material’s performance to meet specific customer and market requirements in a multitude of pipe applications developed by our customers, focused on promoting the replacement of traditional materials and ensuring sustainable growth .
Related papers
Author(s) : Andreas Moerman, Flip van der Valk, Mirjam Blokker KWR, Tjakko Haaijer, Jan Vreeburg,
Drinking water companies with ageing networks are facing vast amounts of drinking water network reconstructions during the coming decades. This development coincides with the energy transition, which puts pressure on the available space underground. These external drivers give drinking water companies an opportunity...
Author(s) : James F. Mason, Akshay Ponda, Hermann van Laak, Buc Slay
The effects of liquid hydrocarbons on long term strength of pipe grade thermoplastic resins is an important consideration when designing pressure pipe for use in the oil and gas industry. There is an extensive body of work going back several decades descri bing these effects for pipe grade polyethylenes, and all...
Author(s) : Ernst van der Stok
For PE 100-RC, two tests are still under development for pipes: the point load test (PLT) and the accelerated notch pipe test (aNPT). The PLT was developed by a project group consisting of manufacturers and end users. The PLT determines the resistance to point loads as they can occur in practice. An earlier study...
Author(s) : M. Eckes & Dr. B. Baudrit, Dr. M. Troughton & D. Wylie, H. van Laak & J. Fritz
Unplasticized polyamide 12 (PA-U12) is increasingly being used in pipe applications, especially in the gas sector. However, the material behavior in the usual quality tests for pipe welds has not yet been thoroughly investigated. For this reason, two research institutes, worked in cooperation with a manufacturer of...
Author(s) : Sjoerd Jansma, Peter Cloos, Ernst van der Stok
This paper describes two different test methods used to determine the permeation rate of hydrogen through a reinforced thermoplastic pipe (RTP) system with a HDPE liner pipe and a gas-tight layer at a pressure of 42 bar(g) hydrogen and ambient temperature. One method involThe results of the aforementioned tests...
Author(s) : Karel van Laarhoven, Andreas Moerman
Pipe failure in drinking water distribution networks occurs as a result of loadings on the pipe that exceeds its strength. Especially, pipes that deteriorate over time have an increasing probability of failure. Prediction models that estimate when a particular pipe will fail can therefore be valuable tools in pipe...
Author(s) : Hermann van Laak, Jan Heimink, Mario Messiha, Andreas Frank, Christoph Bruckner, Thomas Kratochvilla
For high pressure pipes above maximum operation pressure of 10 bar, this paper emphasizes PA-U12 as the easy to install alternative to steel. It underlines the superb performance of PA-U12 pipes for alternative installation techniques without need for a separate mechanical protection. An unplasticized polyamide 12...
Author(s) : Nolene Byrne, Rasike De Silva, Keith Lenghaus, Tim Hilditch
Plastic pipes have been utilized in the Australian gas distribution network since the early 1970s. The most common plastic type found in Australia is polyethylene (PE), although nylon is extensively used in New South Wales. Early installation of PE pipe was completed using the first generation high density type PE50...
Author(s) : Stefanus Johannes van Vuuren
Biofilm establishes itself over a short period of time in all pipelines conveying raw and treated water. Depending on the type of biofouling, it is documented that it will inevitability lead to a reduction in the hydraulic capacity. Since none of the current design relationships used to calculate the friction loss in...
Author(s) : M. Boerakker, S. van Mierloo, D. v. Beek, R. Schipper, P. Voets, M. Soliman, K. Jacobson, D. Lukes, B. Rabaud, F. Zraick
HDPE pipes are used for standard pressurized water pipes, offering an excellent solution for safe transport of (drinking) water. The HDPE pipe market is growing globally. Especially in countries that suffer from water scarcity, surface water and water from rivers have to be used for drinking water supply. To guarantee...
Author(s) : Mario Messiha, Andreas Frank, Isabelle J. Berger, Jan Heimink, Hermann van Laak, Florian Arbeiter, Gerald Pinter
Since the last decade polyamide 12 (PA12) has been successfully introduced as material for SDR 11 gas piping systems up to 18 bar, representing itself as an attractive alternative to steel pipes for high-pressure applications. Practical experience has confirmed that beside the higher strength, PA12 pipe grades also...
Author(s) : Marc van Loo (Dr.), Constant Van Aerschot, KumHoong Lou
In many parts of rural developing Asia and even some parts of Africa, sewerage from households is often discharged directly to the surrounding. This unfortunate fact means that many waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid continue to afflict these communities. Numerous efforts from governments,...
Author(s) : E.J.W. van der Stok, K. Jacobson, S.O. Jansma, D. Lukes
The lack of a fast, universally-accepted test method for chlorine-dioxide-disinfected water is hindering the development of improved plastic piping materials. A literature survey was performed to define the degradation process in which chlorine dioxide affects the ageing of polypropylene, and to describe and reflect...
Author(s) : E.J.W. van der Stok
The effect of eleven different test parameters on the strain hardening modulus was investigated using the Design of Experiments statistical method. The changes in strain hardening modulus due to temperature, tensile drawing speed and the cooling rate after annealing were assessed. The importance of taking account of...
Author(s) : René Hermkens, Ernst van der Stok, Johannes de Bruin, Jeroen Weller
The replacement of fossil fuels like natural gas by sustainable gases such as biogas and hydrogen can mitigate global warming. There has been some debate about the impact of sustainable gases on the materials used in the gas grid. An extensive study of the behaviour of PE, PVC, POM and rubber materials was therefore...
Author(s) : Ernst van der Stok, Frans Scholten
Samples machined directly from pipe show that orientation has a large influence on the strain hardening modulus. No effects arising as a result of residual stresses were found. Samples machined in the axial direction from a hydrostatic pressurised pipe showed no effect as a result of this mechanical degradation. For...
Author(s) : Johannes de Bruin, Dr. Bert Dalmolen, Albo van Hateren
Normal High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is commonly used as the fluid contacting element, or the “inner-liner”, in Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipes (RTP) and steel pipes up to 65 ºC. Through a modification of the HDPE polymer matrix, by adding nanoparticles, the E-modulus can be increased. Research shows that...
Author(s) : Herbert Terwyen, Roberto de Palo, Manuel Sanchez
New standards in Italy legally require that chlorine dioxide is used as a disinfectant in any new installation that treat water for human consumption. Chlorine dioxide is preferred to other disinfectants when surface water or water from rivers is used for drinking water supply and particularly Southern European...
Author(s) : Frans Scholten, Ernst van der Stok
The residual quality of first generation PE50 gas pipes, installed in Netherland between 1961 and 1979, is still remarkably good. The only premature failures of a few PE50 pipes were exclusively caused by point loads. When under point loading, they started failing in practice after 8 to 26 years, in a brittle manner....
Author(s) : Frans Scholten, Ernst van der Stok, Britta Gerets, Mirko Wenzel, Mike Boege
The current condition of 35-50 years old uPVC main (110 mm) and service (32 mm) pipes for gas and water distribution was assessed. From 27 excavation sites in total about 400 segments of 1.2 meters length each were tested using many techniques. The K-value (average molecular weight) of the PVC, the degree of gelation...
Members of the Association
