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HDPEHigh-Density PolyethylenePipe Systems

Meeting the challenges of the 21st century

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Meeting the challenges of the21st century

Piping made from polyethylene is a costeffective solution for a broad range of pipingproblems in municipal, industrial, marine,mining, landfill, duct and agriculturalapplications. It has been tested and proveneffective for above ground, sur face, buried,sliplined, floating, and sub-sur face marineapplications.

High-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) cancarry potable water, wastewater, slurries,chemicals, hazardeous wastes, and compressedgases. In fact, polyethylene pipe has a long anddistinguished history of service to the gas, oil,mining and other industries. It has the lowestrepair frequency per mile of pipe per yearcompared with all other pressure pipe materialsused for urban gas distribution.

Polyethylene is strong, extremely tough andvery durable. Whether you’re looking for longservice, trouble-free installation, fle xibility,resistance to chemicals or a myriad of otherfeatures, high-density polyethylene pipe willmeet all your requirements.

Smooth-wallHigh-Density Polyethylene

pipe systems

HDPE

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Lower life cycle costsm Corrosion resistance. Does not r ust, rot

or cor rode.

m Leak tight. Heat-fused joints create ahomogenous, monolithic system. Thefusion joint is stronger than the pipe.

m Maintains optimum flow rates. Does nottuberculate, has a high resistance to scale orbiological build-up.

m Excellent water hammer characteristics.Designed to withstand surge events.

m High strain allowance. Virtually eliminatesbreakage due to freezing pipes.

m Additional cost savings are achieved bylower instance of repairs.

m With no exfiltration or infiltration, potablewater losses and groundwater nuisancetreatment costs encountered in traditionalpiping systems are eliminated.

Reduced installation costsm Material of choice for trenchless

technology. Used in directional boring,plowing, river crossings, pipe bursting andsliplining.

m Fewer fittings due to pipe fle xibility.Allowable bending radius of 20 to 25 timesoutside diameter of pipe.

m Lighter equipment required for handlingand installation than with metallic materials.

m Eliminates the need for thr ust blocking.Heat fused joints are fully restrained.

m Light weight and longer lengths allow forsignificant savings in labor and equipment.

HDPE PIPESAVES BOTH TIME AND MONEY

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m LEAK FREE.Polyethylene pipe is normally joined byheat fusion. Butt, socket, sidewall fusion andelectrofusion create a joint that is as strong asthe pipe itself, and is virtually leak free. Thisunique joining method produces significantcost reductions compared to other materials.

m CORROSION, ABRASION, ANDCHEMICAL RESISTANT.Polyethylene piping’s performance inmining, dredging and similar applicationsproves it will outwear many more costlypiping materials when conveying a varietyof abrasive slurries. HDPE has excellentcorrosion resistance and is virtually inert.It does not need expensive maintenance orcathodic protection. It offers better overallresistance to corrosive acids, bases and saltsthan most piping materials. In addition,polyethylene is unaffected by bacteria, fungiand the most “aggressive” naturallyoccurring soils. It has good resistance tomany organic substances, such as solventsand fuels.

m EXCELLENT FLOW CHARACTERISTICS.Because polyethylene is smoother thansteel, cast iron, ductile iron, or concrete, asmaller PE pipe can car ry an equivalentvolumetric flow rate at the same pressure.It has less drag and a lower tendency forturbulence at high flow. Its superior chemicalresistance and “non-stick” surface combineto almost eliminate scaling and pitting andpreserve the excellent hydraulic characteristicsthroughout the pipe service life.

m LIGHTWEIGHT AND FLEXIBLE.Polyethylene pipe is produced in straightlengths or in coils. Made from materialsabout one-eighth the density of steel, it islightweight and does not require the useof heavy lifting equipment for installation.It reduces the need for fittings, is e xcellentin shifting soils and performs well inearthquake-prone areas. HDPE resiststhe effects of freezing and allows bendingwithout the need for an e xcessive number offittings. Since HDPE is not a brittle material,it can be installed with bends over uneventerrain easily in continuous lengths withoutadditional welds or couplings.

Consider the following features ofHDPE pipe:

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m DUCTILITY AND TOUGHNESS.Polyethylene pipe and fittings areinherently tough, resilient and resistantto damage caused by e xternal loads,vibrations, and from pressure surges suchas water hammer. Even in cold weatherpolyethylene pipe is tolerant to handlingand bending.

m MANUFACTURED UNDER AWWA,NSF, ASTM, AGA, EPA, DNR, DOT, API,FM, CSA AND OTHER NATIONALLYRECOGNIZED STANDARDS.Polyethylene pipe is listed and approvedby the standards or committees of theagencies listed above.

m AVAILABLE IN DIAMETERS FROM½ INCH TO 63 INCH.Polyethylene pipe is available in a widerange of diameters and wall thickness,with flanges, elbows, tees, wyes, andvalves, providing a total system solution.HDPE pipe is also available in Iron PipeSize (IPS), Ductile Pipe Size (DIPS) aswell as metric sizes. Plastic Pipe Institutemembers can provide pipe, fittings andother appurtenances.

m APWA COLOR CODING BYAPPLICATION. Polyethylene pipe isavailable with color coding by applicationas developed by the utility location andcoordination council of the AmericanPublic Works Association (APWA).

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Pipe bursting project savestime and moneyAs part of its sewer rehab project, the city ofBaytown, Texas, elected to use 36-inch HDPEpipe to replace 36-inch Reinforced ConcretePipe (RCP) sewer lines. To burst more than3700 feet of pipe in residential areas, thecontractor used both static and pneumaticbursting systems. The pipe bursting methodwas recommended over three other proceduresto avoid the major impact of bypass pumpingand reduced flow capacity involved.

Sliplining polyethylene piperescues Colorado highwayWhen a section of cor rugated metal pipeculvert rusted and washed out, a busy Coloradohighway was partially closed down to traffic.The Colorado Department of T ransportationacted quickly to line the culvert withpolyethylene pipe. Its light weight anddurability were perfect for the project’s highelevation and isolated location. The line pipewas inserted from the uphill side of the culvertand pulled into position, then the joints wereassembled. Filling the annular void spacebetween the existing Corrugated Metal Pipe(CMP) and the liner pipe with grout waschallenging, but successful. The liner anddirect bury portions are in place, with flowrestored and traffic r unning normally on thehighway above it.

CaseHistories

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HDPE restores city drinkingwaterA deteriorating cast iron water main inHenryetta, Oklahoma was leaking 300,000gallons of water per day and threatening toshut off the city ’s water supply. Complicatingfactors included water temperature thatchanged 30 degrees in short time periodsand steep slopes in the location of the leak.Reducing the number of pipe joints along theslope and accommodating the temperaturedifferential, along with elevation problems,convinced city officials to select HDPE pipe.Fourteen-inch Iron Pipe Size (IPS) DR -11 waterpipe was installed along the 1,400-foot sectionof line extending over the steep slope to theflatland below. The HDPE pipe solved theelevation and water temperature problems,and allowed for rapid installation that avoidedshutting off the city ’s main water supply foran extended period of time.

Taking safe water to a ruralcommunityThe cost of constructing long lengths ofdistribution piping deprives many r uralresidents of safe drinking water. CarlsbadSprings in Ontario, Canada studied a steady -flow water supply technology and chaintrencher installations method, discoveringthey could save 66% over conventional watersupply installations. Although high-densitypolyethylene pipe was not in the standardsfor watermain materials, an assessment of thematerial and appropriate jointing methodsdetermined HDPE pipe was fle xible, resistant tocorrosion and smooth-walled. Carlsbad Springsinstalled approximately 33.5km (20.8mi.) ofHDPE watermain ranging from 75mm to200mm (3 inch to 8 inch) diameter. UsingHDPE and chain trenching e xcavation,watermain installation costs were as low as$15 per foot for 6-inch diameter pipe.

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Horizontal directional drillingsolves overflow problems atSan Rafael CanalA nightmare situation faced the San Rafael,California Sanitation District. Few challengingenvironmental demands can compare withpreventing tons of raw sewage from dumpinginto San Francisco Bay. A pipeline constr uctedin the 40s to transfer sewage and groundwaterwas rusting and corroding, and had insidesedimentary buildup that decreased its capacitysignificantly. Without replacing the entiresewage system, the best solution was to installtwo new parallel polyethylene pipelines 15 feetbelow the bottom of the canal. Laying the pipeinvolved complicated directional drilling at avertical curve with a series of tight maneuvers,with a compound cur ve around privateproperty, and without disturbing the nearbywetlands. The project utilized 16-inch SDR - 11and 26-inch SDR-11 HDPE pipe that met thecriteria for pullback, ability to bend and towithstand the stress of horizontal directionaldrilling. Excavation and environmental impactwere kept to a minimum, and the project wascompleted in four weeks, one-third the timerequired for the average trench-diggingoperation, at a total cost of $2.4 million.

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Since its founding in 1950, PPI has been thevoice for its members who are involved inmanufacturing and distributing polyethylenepipe systems. Members share an interest ineducating industry about the benefits of HDPEpipe, and broadening market opportunities touse polyethylene piping systems for water andgas distribution, sewer and wastewater, oil andgas production, industrial and mining uses,power and communication duct, and ir rigation.

Members include

m Manufacturers of polyethylene pipe,fittings and valves

m Manufacturers of polyethylene pipingmaterials

m Manufacturers of equipment andmachinery used for fabricating, joining orinstalling polyethylene piping systems

For additional information, visit the PPIweb site at www.plasticpipe.org or contactour headquarters in Irving, TX at469/499-1044, fax 469/499-1063.

THEPLASTICS PIPE

INSTITUTE (PPI)

www.plasticpipe.org

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1825 Connecticut Avenue NWSuite 680Washington, DC 200091-888-314-6774www.plasticpipe.org

Amiantit OmanPhone: 011.968.626600Fax: 011.968.626611Website: www.omzest.com/amiant.html

Ampacet CorporationPhone: 914.332.7329Fax: 914.631.7278Website: www.ampacet.com

Central Plastics Co.Phone: 405-273-6302Fax: 405-273-5993Website: www.centralplastics.com

Charter PlasticsPhone: 814-827-9665Fax: 814-827-1614Website: www.charterplastics.com

Christie ManufacturingPhone: 940.612.7100Fax: 940.612.7105Website: www.christiemfg.com

CSR PolyPipePhone: 940-665-1721Fax: 940-668-8612Website: www.csrpolypipe.com

EcoflexPhone: 1.877.EcoflexFax: 815.741.2906Website: www.ecoflex.com

Endot Industries Inc.Phone: 973-625-8500Fax: 973-625-4087Website: www.endot.com

Equistar Chemicals, ES, LPPhone: 713-652-4558Fax: 713-652-4687Website: www.equistarchem.com

Ferro CorporationPhone: 216-641-8580Fax: 440-439-7686Website: www.ferro.com

Municipal & IndustrialDivision Members of PPI

Fina Oil & ChemicalPhone: 972-801-2324Fax: 972-801-2958Website: www.fina.com

FRIATEC, Inc.Phone: 864-286-8800Fax: 864-234-2050Website: www.friatecusa.com

Jana LaboratoriesPhone: 905.726.8550Fax: 905.726.8609Website: www.janalab.com

KWH PipePhone: 905-858-0206Fax: 905-858-0208Website: www.kwhpipe.ca

McElroy Mfg. Inc.Phone: 918-836-8611Fax: 918-831-9256Website: www.mcelroymfg.com

Nordstrom ValvesPhone: 903.439.3301Fax: 903.439.3307Website: www.nordstromaudco.com

North American Pipe Corp.Phone: 800-999-7473Fax: 888-777-6404Website: www.northamericanpipe.com

Nova ChemicalsPhone: 450-966-6031Fax: 450-966-6117Website: www.novachem.com

PetromontPhone: 514.650.8311Fax: 514.645.8149Website: www.petromont.qc.ca

Phillips DriscopipePhone: 972-783-2656Fax: 972-783-2647Website: www.driscopipe.com

PLEXCOPhone: 630-350-3700Fax: 630-350-2704Website: www.plexco.com

Solvay Polymers, Inc.Phone: 713-307-3728Fax: 713-307-3521Website: www.solvay.com

Southwest Chemical ServicesPhone: 281-474-2831Fax: 281-474-2043

STRPhone: 860-749-8371Fax: 860-749-7533Website: www.strlab.com

T.D. Williamson Inc.Phone: 918-447-5107Fax: 918-447-5154Website: www.tdwilliamson.com

Union Carbide Corp.Phone: 732-563-5009Fax: 732-563-5877Website: www.unioncarbide.com

Uponor Aldyl CompanyPhone: 800-962-1514Fax: 405-273-1101Website: www.uponor.com

9M 4/2000 PP