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Feature – tCI eNvIroNMeNt INterNatIoNaL Nv Flexible, non-metallic pipes for the underground LPG transport in service stations At a recent event Nick Needs spent some time with TCI Managing Director Francois Meersseman, who wanted to explain a new breakthrough in flexible non-metallic piping, some of which he understood and some of which required a little more explaining, but in the process Nick asked Francois if he would put together a short article on the subject, which is shown below. TCI Environment International nv, member of the CGH Group, is the first worldwide to introduce a real flexible, fibers re-enforced, thermoplastic pipe for the underground transport of LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas. This flexible pipe is based on the proven Thermoflex technology developed by Polyflow Inc. and successfully applied as tubing in the oil & gas industry. The Thermoflex – LPG pipe construction is comprised of three components. An inner liner of a special Nylon grade that is compatible with LPG in both liquid and vapour form. Aramid fibres provide all of the strength of the pipe. Many are aware of the poor creep (stretch under a load) properties of plastics in general and PE pipes in particular. Aramid fibres have exhibited excellent creep and strength properties as proven by their application in bullet proof vests and tire cords. Longitudinal fibres are applied to minimize stretch and radial braided fibres provide the by Francois Meersseman, Managing Director, TCI Environment Int. nv burst strength of the pipe. Locking the fibres at the ends of the pipe requires a coupling similar to a hydraulic hose fitting. The metal coupling that is swaged onto the pipe’s ends grabs the fibres and holds them in place. One should think of a pipe where the fibres are providing all of the strength with the polymers acting as a caulk filling in the holes around the braid. Unlike with PE pipes the wall thickness is not determining the strength of the Thermoflex – LPG pipe! The polypropylene outer jacket’s sole purpose is to provide an abrasion resistant layer to protect the braiding. Unlike with solid un-reinforced PE pipe’s, scratches, nicking, abrading, gouging etc. of the outer jacket does not degrade the physical properties of Thermoflex – LPG pipes. As long as the braiding is not damaged or cut, the integrity of the pipe remains unaffected. Traditionally, underground piping of LPG installations are welded in carbon steel tubes that needs to be protected against corrosion. TCI is the first worldwide to introduce a fibre re-enforced, flexible thermoplastic pipe that eliminates all the disadvantages and concerns related to steel tubing. TCI’s Thermoflex LPG pipes are installed underground always in continuous runs between tank & pump and dispenser, eliminating the delicate and time consuming jointing & welding 18 LateSt NewS, eveNtS, JobS oNLINe – www.PetroLPLaza.CoM work associated with steel tubing. The LPG pipes come in sizes DN20, DN25 and DN32; larger pipe sizes for tank offset fill lines and industrial butane / propane installations will be manufactured on request. The pipes and associated couplings have a rated pressure of 500 psi – 35 bar with a 1,5 design safety factor. The LPG pipes were thoroughly tested and certified by INIG, the Polish Oil & Gas Institute in Krakow Poland. Thermoflex LPG pipes are supplied in coils of 200 metres or longer and are cut to the required length on the building site. Couplings are machine swaged on site. The installation and the testing are done in a few hours versus days when using steel tubing. Since its introduction in April 2009 more than 20 installations are operational in Poland. Early in 2010, BK Gas in Belgium used this pipe to equip its LPG facility in a Q8 and a Shell site. Work on the first LPG pipe installation in Italy is currently underway. The Thermoflex LPG pipes offer: » No Corrosion » Strong, 35 bar rated pipe & couplings » Installed in continuous runs » Flexible, easy and fast to install » Less pressure drop than steel tubing » 30+ years life expectancy More info www.tci-e.com
dreSSer wayNe LateSt NewS, eveNtS, JobS oNLINe – www.PetroLPLaza.CoM 19
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