First Rilsan PA11 High Pressure Natural Gas Pipe Installations In The US
The first natural gas pipes made of Rilsan PA11, a high performance polyamide of renewable non-food-crop origin, were recently installed in the United States on two sites (1.2 and 10.5 miles each) to replace corroded steel pipes. Rilsan PA11 was chosen as it requires very little maintenance, while the installed cost is comparable to that of steel pipes.
Rilsan PA11, the first high-performance polyamide resin allowed by the US authorities in piping systems for high pressure natural gas distribution
In the United States, regulated gas distribution market operates very stringent safety standards. After more than 10 years of laboratory research and testing, Arkema's Rilsan PA11 is the first high-performance polyamide to be authorized for pipelines conveying high pressure natural gas: in December 2008, the US Department of Transportation has allowed Rilsan PA11 to be used for pipes up to 4 inch in diameter at operating pressures up to 14 bars.
A cost effective, performant and environmental efficient solution for gas piping systems
Rilsan PA11 pipes offer all the installation and cost advantages of conventional polyethylene, at the operating pressures of steel. Installation costs are reduced thanks to coiled pipe laying technique and the possibility of using the most common connection systems. Rilsan PA11 features two further key benefits: it eliminates the need for an expensive cathodic protection system, unlike steel, with no risk of leaks from corrosion. Both operating and maintenance costs are then significantly reduced. Rilsan PA11 pipes therefore offer the most technically and economically efficient solution to replace old or damaged steel and cast iron pipes.
Finally, Rilsan PA11's 100% renewable non-food-crop origin combined with the RcycleTM service, Arkema's technical polymer recycling program, should appeal to the market players concerned with eco-design.
With global brands like Rilsan and Pebax, unique products from renewable resources like Rilsan Polyamide 11, Rilsan HT, Pebax Rnew and Platamid Rnew, and leading capacities in Rilsan Polyamide 11 and 12, Arkema's Technical Polymers stand out in the industry by providing customers with global coverage and superior regional service from production facilities and research centers in Europe, Asia, and the USA. Arkema's Technical Polymers business is the acknowledged leader in bio-based high performance polyamides such as world-renowned Rilsan polyamide 11 and Rilsan HT.
SOURCE: Arkema