Historically, the petrochemical lines industry and the oil and gas sector have had to face the grim reality of constantly replacing piping systems due to corrosion. Consequently, the pipes cost three to four times more than the initial investment, and metal and steel pipe maintenance is a costly endeavor.
Glass fiber reinforced pipes have gained immense popularity recently as a supreme alternative to costly steel, mainly due to their corrosion-free service life. These pipes got special attention in industries other than the O&G, such as chemical, offshore, marine, and more.
Besides being low maintenance and cost-effective, these pipes are also lightweight, electrostatic conductive, non-corrosive, and non-erosive. Glass fiber reinforced pipes are popularly called Fiber Reinforced Pipes, or FRP. They include Glass Reinforced Plastic(GRP)and Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE), which makes the pipe strong enough to withstand higher temperatures.
The main difference between the both lies in the resin used for bonding the glass fiber. GRE uses epoxy resin, whereas isophthalic resin is used in GRP pipes. Different raw materials can be added during fabrication to enhance performance.
Higher temperature resistance can be obtained with phenolic resin to make the pipes withstand up to 3000-degree Celsius temperature. Similarly, static conductivity can be achieved by adding carbon or graphite fibers. Let’s look at some features of these piping systems.
What You Need to Know About GRP Pipes
GRP Pipes are Resistant to Corrosion
These pipes are comparatively more corrosion-resistant due to the inherent nature of the materials used to manufacture them. Most piping systems last decades, especially when the correct barriers protect them from varied environments.
GRP Pipes are Lightweight
The weight of a typical pipe is almost 30% less than the weight of its steel counterparts and 12% less than concrete pipes. It means significantly lower shipping, handling, transportation, and sight installation costs.
GRP Pipes are Conductive to Electricity
High-quality pipes don’t conduct electricity, which is why they boast better electrical properties than steel or metal pipes. In situations where electrical conductivity is required, but cost savings are also essential, it’s possible to add conductive reinforced fillers or fibers when the pipes are being fabricated. The composite structure of pipes allows designing them to match various project requirements cost-effectively.
GRP Pipes are Excellent Pressure Absorbers
These pipes are designed to absorb up to 37% of surge pressure, making them excellent for high-pressure applications. There’s also no need to increase the pressure class to benefit from this property.
Their strength-to-weight and fatigue endurance ratio offers additional benefits associated with designing lightweight pipes and reducing replacement costs or downtime. The smooth inner surface leads to minimal friction loss throughout the lifecycle of these pipes.
What You Need to Know About GRE Pipes
The smooth internal surface and easy handling of the lightweight GRE pipes enables a high flow capacity and decrease friction. These pipes have comparatively low thermal conductivity, which minimizes heat loss and the additional cost of insulation.
Moreover, they’re well suited for environments where resistance to corrosion and chemicals is important. They also offer a unique combination of thermal and mechanical resistance because they’re made with a selection of high-performance elements. If weathering is a concern, UV inhibitors can be added to enhance the efficiency cost-effectively. Once GRE pipes are installed properly, they’re virtually maintenance-free.
GRE pipes also offer extraordinary hydraulic features to enhance the flow volume. Less friction means less energy will be used for pumping, which leads to lower operational costs. The pipes also boast a long service life and are resistant to surge pressure. Their ability to withstand harsh environments makes them perfect for use in chemical plants, oil and gas exploration, desalination plants, and many other applications.
Which Pipe is Suitable for Your Needs and Application?
The type of piping solution you should invest in depends on many factors that make your project unique. While industrial, offshore, marine, and oil and gas applications require pipes that can withstand corrosion and medium to high pressures, they require particular technical characteristics for improved efficiency.
Set a consultation with experts at CNPS to discuss your needs before browsing our collection of FRP pipes for sale. As one of the leading fiberglass pipe suppliers in town, we offer a range of services, including fiberglass pipeline systems, pipe installation, and GRE casing solutions.
We also offer geology supplies and mud-logging solutions for surface logging service providers. Give us a call to learn more about our non-metallic solutions, alloy OCTG products, and composite pipes designed using the latest technologies to meet the rigorous demands of diverse industrial applications.
