FRP

Composite piping has been around since the 1950’s yet it continues to prove to be a challenge in its understanding and application. We give our take on it.

Composite Piping

Fibreglass piping is often described as a fibre-reinforced plastic using glass fibre. It is also known as: RTRP (Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Pipe), FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Pipe), GRE (Glass Reinforced Epoxy), GRVE (Glass Reinforced Vinyl ester), GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester or Glass Reinforced Pipe), RTP (Reinforced thermoplastic pipe), FCP (Flexible composite pipe).

Fairly confusing! In fact, due to these material combinations and the differing mechanical properties being critical to system serviceability, it is important to have an in-depth understanding of the materials and their applications.

Nonetheless, there are benefits to be gained by using this technology including corrosion resistance, a long service life (25+years), light weight, low maintenance, flame-retardant, no internal coating requirement and excellent flow characteristics.

Sustech Engineering remains an independent consultancy specialising in this niche area. Utilising our extensive knowledge and experience in FRP technology, we focus on the needs of the client, with our underlying “Get it right the first time” ethos to solve your challenges.

Industry Sector Usage

  • Fibreglass piping is usually selected with a specific use in mind.

    This material has a varied range of services, temperatures and pressure ratings.

  • Firewater: saline or desalinated water with pressure exceeding 1000kpa or in areas with ground contamination that may affect thermoplastic materials.

    High-Grade Industrial Water: no leaching or material from the pipe wall depending on the medium temperature and flow rate.

    Brine: Larger diameters, pressures, and injection where thermoplastics become cost prohibitive.

    Drainage: AOC and COC (accidental or continuous oil contamination) or areas with ground contamination that may effect thermoplastic materials.

    Seawater: Large Diameter supply and off-spec return lines higher pressure lines up to 5000kPA and hyper-saline.

    Chemical Processing: Corrosive liquid mediums and pure medium lines.

  • Weight and Corrosion benefits from Fibregladd piping.

    Balast

    Bilge

    Vent/Sounding

    Cargo

    Sanitary

    Seawater Cooling

    Stripping

    Firewater

    Inert-Gas

  • Weight and Corrosion benefits from Fibreglass Piping

    Off-Spec Water Reinjection

    Firewater

    Sewerage

    Potable Water

    Seawater

    Drainage

    Cassions

    Produced Water

  • Examples of usage:

    Flow line: Excellent friction coefficient and no deterioration of internal liner leading to prolonged efficiency of pumps.

    Oil, Gas, Water gathering and transmission: Electrically condictve variations are available to eliminate static ignition sources.

    Jet Fuel Line: Electrically conductive variations are available to eliminate static ignition sources.

    Saltwater tubing and Casing

Composite Piping

When a company decides to commence using Glassfibre Reinforced Plastic (GRP) pipes for projects, it is highly critical that they are to ensure that the GRP manufacturer that they choose confirms the essential issues at the commencement of the tender/bid process.

Here, we share a simple guide to help in such evaluations of GRP Manufacturers . This guide contains key verification points which has assisted our Clients over the many projects they have completed.

We highly recommend that companies get independent trustworthy consultants who have in-depth expertise in the field to come onboard to assist with the evaluation process. Having developed such expertise over the years, we at Sustech Engineering, can also support you in this evaluation process at every step of the way.

If you are keen to get a copy of the tender document guide in word format, please feel free to contact us directly for further details.

FRP Project Value Chain

A project value-chain for a piping system consists of design-analysis, material selection-specification, procurement-manufacturing-material qualification, fabrication-installation, testing-inspection, commissioning, and operations.

Generally, a metallic piping system value-chain is stable in all respects. However, despite the benefits of FRP, some perceive the FRP piping system project value-chain to not have the same level of reliability. This perception is incorrect & can be attributed to the evolution of the two manufacturing industries. While metallic piping manufacturing is uniform, driven early by well-established standards, FRP piping is manufacturer driven, albeit in compliance with standards like ISO:14692.

Good FRP manufacturers focus on maintaining material design within the company’s IP with their own product calculations & manufacturing process to meet a project’s specification to stay ahead in the market. Different manufacturers use different resin/glass combinations resulting in subtly different mechanical properties.

It’s the suitability-for-service assessment that ensures selection of the right FRP piping system with trouble-free operations & peace of mind for plant owners.

An independent perspective on the FRP project value chain helps in achieving this.