FRP pipes in the Context of a New Era

Today, fiberglass-reinforced thermoset plastic (FRP) is being used in many industrial product applications, including the storage and transfer of corrosive materials and the handling of other materials in corrosive environments. Although FRP piping is 30 years old, it is a modern product material with many emerging applications that take advantage of its corrosion resistance, strength-to-weight ratio, low maintenance and life-cycle costs. This paper discusses what FRP piping is, its current applications, and emerging technological advances for new applications of FRP piping in petroleum storage and handling facilities.

 

What does fiberglass-reinforced pipe (FRP) mean?

FRP pipes are manufactured by a winding process in which thermosetting epoxy resins are reinforced with continuous glass filaments. As the resins cure, they undergo an irreversible chemical reaction that gives them excellent resistance to temperature changes, while the glass fibers give them excellent mechanical strength. In microchannels, steel casing is used for jacking where significant forces are required. FRP pipe is now widely used for this purpose because the reduced hydraulic jacking forces make it cost-effective and also allow for longer lengths to be installed. FRP can also be used for trenchless repair methods such as sliding. FRP is resistant to corrosion and chemicals, making it an ideal material for pipes carrying such wastewater.

 

Applications of FRP pipes

The use of FRP pipes is increasing day by day due to their high durability, corrosion resistance and moderate strength. FRP piping systems are used in various industries, such as

a. Petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical and biogas industries: such as chlor-alkali, potassium sulfate fertilizer, paper making and acid regeneration systems.

b. The water treatment industry includes desalination, industrial wastewater treatment output and input, and pure water systems.

c. Liquid transportation industry: urban water supply, urban drainage, irrigation systems.

d. Power industry: flue gas flue, desulfurization system, circulating water, cable pipe, glass fiber reinforced plastic chimney.

e. Environmental protection: sewage odor recovery, workshop waste gas treatment, factory air purification, biogas desulfurization and purification.

f. FRP round pipes are used in petroleum, chemical, mining, metal production, power plants, flue gas desulfurization (FGD), pulp and paper mills, and drainage.

 

The future of FRP piping systems

A. Oil marketing facilities

B. Traditional oil marketing facilities use steel pipes. It is low cost and meets the 2-hour, 2,000 degrees F code requirement for handling flammable and combustible materials. While retail facilities have adapted to advances in new materials (e.g., FRP underground storage tanks, piping and flexible connectors), distribution terminal designers and contractors have been slow to apply non-steel technologies. The following are a few areas where terminal facility designers should consider FRP piping applications.

 

C. Sewer and Drainage.

D. Projects related to pollution prevention include containment, recycling, abatement, and wastewater treatment. Concrete pipelines are not suitable for handling petroleum-related runoff for two reasons: (1) due to the high leakage rate of available pipe connection methods; and (2) steel pipes corrode in the subsurface environment.

E. Large diameter FRP pipelines are available in diameters up to 9 feet and are designed with leak-free joints. As noted above, new pipelines without trenching or sliding lining rehabilitation methods are cost-effective and minimize operational disruption.

 

F. Corrosive chemicals.

G. Today, it is becoming increasingly common to blend automotive fuel additives at terminals. Many of these additives (such as gasoline detergent additives) are corrosive to traditional carbon steel. Mixing systems are located on truck loading racks and underground piping is typically installed underneath the driveway area for FRP piping.

 

H. Fire-Water Protection.

I. Scale from an internal corrosion of steel pipes in fire water protection systems is known to clog nozzles and sprinkler heads. To combat the effects of corrosion and internal scale, metal fire protection systems using untreated water require ongoing maintenance. In untreated or "non-neutral" (i.e., controlled pH) fire protection water systems, it is questionable how much of the metal system is an ineffective operating condition at a given moment.

 

J. FRP refractory systems are under development and should prove cost-effective in certain fire protection applications where firewater corrodes steel, such as ships and offshore rigs.