TPi March 2015

products & developments Thermoplastic coated pipes

internal diameter. When the pipes are coated with thermoplastic (TP), the result is pipes with very low internal friction and very low flow resistance. This means that it is possible to use smaller pumps, or pumps with lower output, or to reduce the number of pumps or pump stations in the system. FlowMax TP pipes are produced in outer dimensions up to 508mm, in lengths up to 6,000mm, and for water pressure up to 80 bar. The thin pipe walls make the pipes both compact and light.

treatment ensures the pipe systems have a very long service life. TP-coated pipes, using a method that was first introduced in 1990, are suitable for use in corrosive environments. Independent tests have shown that TP pipes meet the requirements for the toughest corrosivity category, C5-M, in a marine environment, and that the service life of undamaged TP pipes is at least 75 years. This also makes TP-coated pipes suitable for use in water and sewage systems. Alvenius FlowMax pipes are made of high-strength Swedish steel and are spirally welded for maximum dimensional stability. The pipes have very thin walls and the highest possible

In 1994, the Municipality of Lidingö in Stockholm County, Sweden, installed Alvenius FlowMax pipes in its drinking water system. The pipes were treated with Alvenius’s TP thermoplastic coating, and were laid as an alternative to traditional piping material. 20 years later, in 2014, the FlowMax pipes were taken out of the ground for inspection, and were found to have no corrosion, no build-up of coatings, and no impact on the material. The 20-year-old pipes were described as “looking like they had been installed yesterday”.

Alvenius Industries – Sweden order@alvenius.se www.alvenius.com

The combination of high-quality, high- strength steel with an effective surface

The pipe, after being cleaned with high-pressure water, shows no defects

Alvenius FlowMax TP pipe after 20 years in the ground

Oil and gas infrastructure rehabilitation As pipeline infrastructures age, issues caused by external corrosion can result in integrity threats and service failures.

The company offers a range of practical innovations focused on exploring new materials, and installation-friendly methods to make it easier and more efficient to rehabilitate, repair and strengthen infrastructure. Products include fibre-reinforced polymer and geopolymer mortar systems, geosynthetic composite concrete mat and fabric innerduct. Milliken Infrastructure Solutions, LLC – USA infrastructure@milliken.com www.infrastructure.milliken.com

and researchers, is developing not only progressive composite wrap (fibre- reinforced polymer) solutions detectable by in-line inspection tools, but also in-depth repair project documentation and design applications. MIS acquired Pipe Wrap’s assets in August 2014. Utilising the experience of Pipe Wrap in the composite repair industry, MIS is able to deliver third- party tested and validated solutions to rehabilitate, strengthen or protect assets in the oil, gas and industrial markets.

Regulations for developing and maintaining oil and gas pipelines are becoming increasingly stringent, requiring asset owners, engineers and contractors to provide more testing data and documentation. Milliken Infrastructure Solutions (MIS) has combined its experts with the team from Pipe Wrap, Inc and, with the support of global engineers, scientists

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Tube Products International March 2015

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