Millennium Projects
Technical Details
Millennium Project Number: 2011-001
Project Title: Self-Healing Pipe- Phase I Literature Search
Project Start Date: 1st Quarter 2011
Projected End Date: 4th Quarter 2011
Technical Details:
Polyethylene is the material of choice for plastic pipe used for low pressure natural gas applications (i.e. distribution system) due to its light weight, flexibility, resistance to environmental threats, good resistance to crack growth, ease of installation, relative ease in incorporating fittings into a piping system and low cost. However, there are a number of issues with plastic pipe that users would like to see resolved in order to further improve its performance. In addition, new technologies that are introduced in the natural gas industry could benefit from plastic pipes that have additional properties, currently not present. Introduction of self-healing capabilities would allow plastic pipe to repair itself when compromised due to third party damage, thus eliminating the need for expensive and intrusive repair work. The emerging field of nanotechnology is promising to revolutionize the field of industrial and other materials. Through the introduction of a number of different nanoparticles, each having the necessary properties, scientists have demonstrated the ability to introduce self-healing properties in certain materials. As a result, NYSEARCH carried out a literature search effort, to determine whether such properties could be introduced in PE based pipe material. The study determined that the introduction of such properties is indeed within the capabilities of state-of-the-art science in this field. The study also developed a framework for future research and material development in this field