High Performance Plastic Revolutionizes Natural Gas Distribution, Transmission Lines

Gas distribution companies in need of a durable high-pressure non-metallic pipe now have another option. A new high-performance thermoplastic polyamide pipe, known as PA 12, is less expensive to install and easier to maintain than traditional steel pipe.

Evonik Industries, a maker of specialty chemicals, manufactures the polyamide VESTAMID® LX9030 PA12 used in the manufacture of pipe. Offering exceptional performance for high-pressure applications, PA 12 pipe allows gas companies to effectively design their underground infrastructure without sacrificing flow capacity. Researchers estimate that PA12 pipe has significant labor and installation savings over traditional steel pipe.

Gas Technology Institute (GTI) has helped introduce PA 12 to utility and energy suppliers. “PA12 is an excellent alternative to steel pipe in high-pressure applications up to 250 psi for gas distribution lines,” said Dennis Jarnecke, program manager at GTI. “It has been used as fuel lines in cars and for air brake tubing in trucks. Now we see great potential for its use in gas delivery systems.”

GTI, along with four natural gas distribution utilities - City of Mesa Utilities in Arizona, MichCon Gas in Michigan, National Fuel in New York, and WE Energies in Wisconsin - worked together to plan small-scale backyard evaluations of PA 12 systems produced from resin manufacturers, Evonik and UBE. The overall installations were planned and executed taking into consideration the safe, reliable and varied construction practices of the four utilities. Operating pressures for these test installations ranged from 160-330 psi.

Compliance with pipeline integrity regulations is also more cost-effective. “Traditional steel pipe must adhere to corrosion control and cathodic protection requirements which add to a company’s expense,” said Jarnecke. “PA12 is corrosion-resistant and has labor and installation savings over steel.”

PA 12 pipes are available in a range of sizes according to the utility company’s gas distribution specifications and requirements. A complete line of fittings is available to effectively construct PA 12 systems, including transition fittings, electro-fusion fittings and mechanical saddle fittings. Extruded in diameters ranging from 2-6 inches, PA 12 pipes can be manufactured in lengths of 50 feet as straight pipe and to more than 250 feet in coils, depending on the diameter and wall thickness. This flexibility in length - particularly for long stretches of installation - saves money by reducing time spent fusing pipe ends together. Equipment used in the installation of both straight and coil pipe does not require any modification.

In August 2009, Energy West, a Montana-based gas utility and energy supplier, installed PA12 pipe for a natural gas distribution system in an established public right-of-way outside Great Falls.