Rurgaz and SABIC: HDPE reduces abrasion in Polish pipelines

The Polish pipeline manufacturer Rurgaz Inc. produces a variety of HDPE pipes for different kind of applications, such as gas, water, sewage or hydraulic transport of solid raw materials. SABIC Poland has been working with Rurgaz as its key supplier of polyethylene and polypropylene since1999.

High resistance to abrasion

In sand and gravel mines solid raw materials are mostly transported hydraulically because the force required to move the material can be achieved at a low flow speed. For this method of transport, pipelines need to be made of a material with a high resistance to abrasion and corrosion. HDPE PE100 is perfectly suited to this purpose due to an extended level of high molecular portion in its bimodal distribution.

For many years the Polish gravel mine Zwirownia Siemiatycze had been using a line excavator to excavate gravel which was then transported via belt conveyors to barges on the river bank,a procedure which was both arduous and expensive. Zwirownia Siemiatycze required an alternative, cost-effective method to obtain and transport the gravel to the river bank.

Long distance transportation

In 2004, Zwirownia Siemiatycze purchased 204m of polyethylene pipes made of SABIC^® Vestolen A R 6060 black 10000 from Rurgaz. Individual sections of the pipe are welded together. The pipeline can be rotated when necessary. Thus the abrasion of the pipe will proceed equally over the whole of its circumference, thereby preventing localized wear and tear. In comparison to steel pipes the service life of PE100 pipes is approximately 40-50% longer. The division of the pipes into sections ensures that the excavated material can be transported anywhere and over relatively large distances just by adding new sections

Increased production, lowered costs

As a result of the switch to HDPE PE 100 pipes, Zwirownia Siemiatycze has considerably increased its production and lowered its costs. A change in excavation location does not incur delay and costs of transport to the riverbank are optimal.

Application and product summary

Name	SABIC® HDPE (bimodal)
Brand name / grade	SABIC® Vestolen A 6060 R black 10000
Major features	Classified as PE100 Listed on positive list of materials of the PE100+ Association Approved according to European gas and water standards Designed for pressure pipe applications in particular and non-pressure applications Pipes made out of SABIC® HDPE (bimodal) do not corrode and have high abrasion and frost resistance Low weight Tightness Good weld ability Easy laying