There are many features and benefits exhibited by the Fluid Highway®.
Suitable for gases and liquids;
Light weight;
High strength;
Durable;
Can be made on site in long lengths or in a production facility in industry standard lengths;
No corrosion;
No cathodic protection or voltage mitigation;
Cost effective;
Simplified logistics;
Savings in logistics;
Fast production;
No derating for temperature and hydrocarbons;
Suitable for above ground;
Expansion rates similar to steel;
Operates in extremes of temperature
No brittle fracture.
Pipe Data
DIMENSIONS
The Pipe Production machine is able to manufacture pipe with a diameter between 300mm to 500mm. Long Pipes can manufacture pipes of a specific diameter within this range subject to the application of any design requirements.
In the future, Long Pipes intends to manufacture larger diameter pipes up to a diameter of 1000mm.
The pipe wall thicknesses will vary according to the maximum operating pressure required as well as the required pipe stiffness. The wall thicknesses are low when compared to other pipe materials, thus optimising and enhancing the internal pipe diameter.
MASSES
The pipe masses are very low. As an example a nominal 300 mm Fluid Highway® pipe will weigh approximately 11 kg/m. That is approximately one quarter the mass of comparable steel and polyethylene pipes.
PRESSURES
The maximum allowable operating pressure ("MAOP") will be defined in the certification program. Initial testing by Long Pipes indicates the 325 mm outside diameter pipe with four layers of glass will have a MAOP above 30 bar. However this will be determined in the certification process.
JOINTS, FITTINGS AND FLANGES
Long Pipes manufactures pipes in the factory up to 20 metres in length depending on the maximun length allowed on the truck transporting pipe to site. Shouldered couplings are the standard jointing system that are adhered to the pipe end in the factory and delivered to site where the pipes are joined by adhesion. Flanges, where required are manufactured in the factory. Long Pipes is also investigating rubber ring jointed collars as an alternative jointing system.
Industry standard GRP fittings such as bends and tees will be used with the Fluid Highway® pipe for water pipes and low pressure gas pipes.
It is planned for continuous pipes made in the field to have flanged joints as the long lengths of pipe will need to be pressure tested .
HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE
The coefficient of friction for polyurethane is expected to be similar to other non-metallic pipe materials such as HDPE and PVC.