Millennium Projects

Technical Details

Millennium Project Number: M-2003-005

Project Title: Comparison of Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe to Steel

Project Start Date: 2003

Projected End Date: 2005

Technical Details:

NYSEARCH engaged Energy International and Gastec ( Netherlands ) to provide an evaluation/testing program that will demonstrate Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe (RTP) benefits and to help introduce the product to the gas industry. NYSEARCH was seeking to evaluate third party damage performance of RTP with regard to its ability to resist scratches and gouges and to compare these results to steel pipe. The approach was to simulate third party impacts by using a backhoe and a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine. The RTP used was a particular product called “Soluforce Light”, which is manufactured by Pipelife in the Netherlands . RTP may have the potential to replace steel for natural gas pipelines. The material is a non-metallic composite PE100 with a reinforced polyester mesh inner layer.

RTP is new to the U.S. gas industry but had been tested previously and approved in Europe for design pressures up to 600 psi (4,000 psi burst pressure). During the NYSEARCH project, a comprehensive technical/economic report was prepared which included all related operating, technical, marketing issues and identified potential cost savings. RTP is currently limited in size (4” and 6”) and coiled on reels to reduce the number of connections. In addition, it needs a special procedure and machinery for the fusion connections.

View Funding for Millennium Project M-2003-005