TPi March 2015

Plast ic pipes

Flexible insulated pipework for energy-efficient heating system

pipe system currently used in heating systems that can be fully fusion welded and operate up to 95°C. Flexenergy designs, supplies and installs distribution pipework used in heating, and hot and chilled water systems across a wide variety of renewable/sustainable energy technologies, including solar, biomass CHP, geothermal, district and community heating. The company is the UK and Ireland stockist of the Flexalen pre-insulated pipe system. Flexenergy offers extensive pipe stocks; jointing technologies (welded and mechanical); pipe ancillaries, meters and fittings; system design; installation services; and an in-house fabrication service.

insulated polybutene range has both strength and flexibility coupled with a broad temperature range and water-tight thermal insulation properties. It is very simple to install with easy connection between the insulation and casing pipe, which makes it a fully welded system.” “We are very proud to be associated with such an energy efficient system on a world-renowned site,” said Sandy Fairley, Flexenergy sales director. “Our pipe technology selected by Aston Cord for the new biomass system combines strength, durability and flexibility across a wide hot water temperature range when compared to conventional pipe. Its lightweight profile also makes it easier to handle, while its HDPE outer jacket gives robustness to the structure. One of the biggest concerns for this project was environmental sustainability, so the pipe technology’s low thermal conductivity

Aston Cord Energy Services, a specialist in biomass technology, was chosen by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Headquarters in Slimbridge, UK, to create a new energy-efficient heating system. Aston Cord selected Flexenergy for the highly insulated and flexible pipework needed for the biomass system. James Erskine, assistant facilities manager at the Slimbridge site, explained, “As part of a bigger strategy to reduce our carbon footprint, it was an easy decision for us to move away from a reliance on fossil fuels to renewable and sustainable biomass energy which will burn locally supplied wood-based pellets. “Our headquarters is the largest of our nine sites nationally and we have over 150 staff located here. The new heating system will provide heat and hot water to all our core buildings – the main visitor centre, staff hostel, Scott House, the cottage and office buildings. With the help of the government-based Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, the pay-back for the new system will be in less than three and a half years. Due to the newly installed heating system we will save around 50 per cent a year on our overall heating costs including this big reduction.” Phil Bailey, installation engineer at Aston Cord Energy Services, praised Flexenergy Flexalen piping’s insulation factor, adding, “The Flexalen 600 pre-

Flexenergy Ltd – UK office@flexenergy.co.uk www.flexenergy.co.uk

and consequent heat loss became important factors in the context of optimising energy efficiency in a low carbon environ- ment.”

Flexalen insulated

pre-

pipes

use Polybutene (PB-1) as the base material for their carrier pipes, and is claimed to be the only plastic

Flexalen pipe was used at the Slimbridge site

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March 2015 Tube Products International