GRP pipes are an excellent alternative to traditional materials such as steel, ductile iron and concrete. They have excellent strength, corrosion resistance, light weight, easy to operate and install. They have a smooth surface that provides higher flow rates, which reduces energy consumption.
Fiberglass is a common type of reinforced fiber for fiberglass. The fibers may be randomly placed, compressed into a sheet, or woven into a fabric. The plastic matrix may be a thermoset polymer matrix, most commonly based on thermoset polymers such as epoxy, polyester, or vinyl ester.
History
From the mid to late 1980s of the 20th century, the production and use of large diameter underground composite pipes began to grow. Technological advances in filament winding process, corrosion resistance and strong market factorscontributed to the popularity of fiberglass pipe. Definitions of what constitutes a large diameter pipe may vary, but in general sizes range from 12" to 14".
Composite or fiberglass pipe is used in a wide range of industries such as power generation, petrochemicals and sea water desalination. Fiberglass pipe is corrosion resistant, has a long life cycle that often exceeds 30 years, and is the best alternative to steel and other metal alloys, ductile iron and concrete. According to statistics, more than 60,000 km of large diameter pipes are in operation worldwide.
Scope of application
Main uses:
- Heating and cooling.
- Steam and condensate return line.
- Hot and cold water supply.
- Condenser and cooling tower.
- Underground fire mains.
- Pipelines.
Thermal expansion and contraction
GRP pipe has different thermal expansion in diagonal and axial direction. In the circumferential direction, the thermal expansion is about the same as that of steel. However, in the axial direction, the thermal expansion is about twice that of steel.
The relatively low modulus of elasticity of fiberglass pipe is an advantage to consider when designing a piping system. Since the thermal forcesless, restrictive equipment (guides, anchors) should not be as strong and heavy as for steel pipelines. There is some increase due to final pressure loading in the piping system, but experience has shown that this change in length does not need to be taken into account when designing a fiberglass piping system. Composite piping systems can handle thermal shocks between maximum rated operating temperatures if the pipe connections are non-mechanical.
Features
Fiberglass pipes have the following advantages:
- long service life due to excellent corrosion and chemical resistance (s alt water, CO2, H2S, solvents, thermal and oily water);
- easy handling and light weight (approximately ¼ of the weight of steel);
- require less personnel and equipment to install;
- quick installation with fittings and reduced installation costs;
- Improved flow characteristics due to smooth inner coating and reduced material resistance.
GRP pipes: specifications
The main reason for the increase in the use and popularity of fiberglass are key advantages such as high strength-to-weight ratio, dimensional stability, good mechanical properties, ease of installation, reduced installation and maintenance costs, and overalldurability under extreme conditions. Another advantage of fiberglass pipe is that it has a smoother inner surface compared to traditional building materials. The smooth bore resists large scale deposits and can generate high service fluid flow throughout the life of the project.
When designing a large diameter underground pipe, many considerations must be taken into account: local soil conditions, groundwater depth, burial and living loads, deviation due to error and operating temperatures, fluid velocity and pressure, head loss due to turbulent flow, hydraulic hammer, bending pressure and pulsation pressure. Designing a proper underground piping system is a complex process that involves extensive calculations - product design should always be done by qualified engineers.
Composite fiberglass pipe
GRP pipes are manufactured using a variety of epoxy and vinyl ester resins and, where appropriate, corrosion barriers to achieve optimal performance for any application. A wide temperature and pressure range allows you to best match the fiberglass pipe to the requirements of a particular application.
High pressure fiberglass pipes have stood the test of time as they have been in harsh environments for decades and have proven their worth.durability and value. The first samples appeared more than 40 years ago.
Advantages of composite fiberglass piping systems:
- increased resistance to corrosion/abrasion when exposed to strong acids;
- high strength;
- pipe spans similar to steel counterparts;
- high quality PVC for higher temperatures and long piping distances;
- best replacement for steel pipe with outer or corrosive inner coating.
GRP pipe diameters range from 1 to 72 inches.
Microbiologically induced corrosion
This vulnerability is a common problem in industrial processes due to the presence of microbes. This eventually leads to gaps, with oxygen and ion concentration cells, allowing corrosion to progress.
If they are not treated with a fiberglass repair kit, piping systems will be significantly weakened, often creating holes in the pipe walls, leading to leaks and loss of fluid.
Treatment can be done by cathodic protection of pipelines or chemical treatment of the fluid, which itself can bond corrosion. Either of these methods requires additional costs that can only delay failure.
Fittings and accessories
Fiberglass pipe accessories are made of epoxy and vinyl ester resins. These adhesivesprovide the best corrosion resistance and temperature performance.
Fittings include flanges, couplings, tees, reducers, drain pipes, repair kits, fiberglass repair kit and more. Fiberglass pipes are designed for heavy duty applications and are suitable for a wide range of chemicals listed in the fiberglass chemical resistance manual.
All fittings are supplied with spigot or flange connection for easy installation in the field. The prices of fiberglass pipes include all accessories necessary for installation and range from 4,350 to 47,900 rubles per linear meter, depending on the diameter.
