TPi July 2009

developments products &

Pressure pipes for hydro power

Between March and June 2009 and for the second construction phase, pipes were scheduled to be laid from a railway bridge to the power house. The third phase is planned to run from June to September 2009, when the lines will finally meet between the railway bridge and the Pöls Bridge. The two planned Kaplan spiral turbines have an average output of 12.9 million kWh pa, which corresponds to the electricity needs of 6,000 families of four. Because VAEE currently needs 8 million kWh, the excess can be delivered to the public network once the plant is completed. The new power source will also allow VAEE’s production process to be optimised. Since the method to heat the rails with gas in order to shape them proved to be dissatisfactory, they will in future be heated by induction (with electricity), which will assure 100% process safety.

Voest Alpine Eisenbahn GmbH (VAEE) is a major producer of rails and turnouts, and with 700 employees is also one of the largest employers in Zeltweg, Austria. The company’s high demands on electricity combined with the current high energy prices prompted the company’s management to look for a more attractive power source. A hydro power station was erected on company property, in cooperation with an existing small power plant of the company Penz at the estuary of the rivers Pöls and Mur. A total of 3km pressure pipe DN 2400 were installed for the project. The 31m head was calculated to produce a flow rate of 12m³ per second. This required pipe material with high safety standards, and guaranteed leak tightness. Hobas CC-GRP pipe systems met these requirements. Since October 2008, Hobas Pipe Austria has been delivering the CC-GRP pressure pipe systems, including FW couplings, to the new power plant Penz VAEE. The pipeline is installed in three phases, leading from the power plant Penz to the estuary of the rivers Pöls and Mur and finally to the power house on VAEE property. The pressure line first runs through farmland, and an adjacent housing area is bypassed along the river. The Hobas pipes needed to be installed beneath the river’s groundwater level. Despite the depth, the pipe bedding was completely dry due to dense soil, which resulted in fast and cost efficient installation. The first phase, from the intake works Penz in Aichdorf to the Pöls Bridge, was initiated in October 2008, and was scheduled for completion in March. Hobas pressure pipes DN 2400 were ▼ ▼ installed at the estuary of the rivers Pöls and Mur

The first phase, from the intake works S S Penz in Aichdorf to the Pöls Bridge

This independent power supply also contributes to a positive CO 2 balance for the company. The power plant is built according to strict environmental regulations. For instance, a residual of 1,500 l water per second and up to 2,900 during the cold months is ensured, and lies well above the requirements. With this, the plant has the largest amount of residual water in Styria, which benefits the environment and fish population. Hobas Engineering GmbH – Austria info@hobas.com www.hobas.com

Stainless steel seamless pipes in a wide range of grades Huzhou Fengtai Stainless Steel Pipes Co, Ltd is a manufacturer of stainless steel pipes and tubes, specifically for small stainless steel tubes.

Material grades include austenitic TP304, TP304L, TP316L, TP316Ti, TP310S, TP317L, TP347H, TP321, 800H, 904L, 2205, S31803, S32205, S32304, S32750 and S32760. Diameters range from 6 to 323mm, and wall thicknesses are from 0.5 to 50mm. The products are manufactured strictly according to GB, ASTM, ASME, JIS and DIN standards. Special materials and

Fengtai manufactures products according to S S GB, ASTM, ASME, JIS and DIN standards

specifications can be supplied under negotiation. The company’s range of products includes boiler tubing, heat exchanger tubing, fluid transport pipe/ tubing, ferritic stainless steel pipe, austenitic stainless steel pipe, corrosion- resisting pipe/tubing, heat-resisting alloy pipe/tubing and U-tubing. Fengtai also has the National Manufacturing License of Special Equipment (Pressured Pipe/Tube), PED 97/23/EC certificate by TUV and work approval of AD2000. Fengtai has successfully exported its products to European, Middle East, American, Indian, Korean and Japanese markets.

Huzhou Fengtai Stainless Steel Pipes Co, Ltd – China info@fengtaipipe.com • www.fengtaipipe.com

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July 2009 Tube Products International