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PIPE INSERTION USING PROFUSE PEELABLE PIPE
®
50 YEARS OF Innovations in gas mains replacement
ProFuse® peelable pipe
One of the first pipeline innovations
to hit our streets at the start of the
POLYETHYLENE GAS gas mains replacement programme
was ProFuse®, a PE100 peelable pipe
specifically designed by Radius Systems
(then Uponor) for large diameter gas
PIPE INNOVATION pipes. The pipe, in conjunction with
new large diameter electrofusion
couplers, was performance tested
through field trials to prove the asset
and operational benefits the system
would bring to the gas operator, at
The first polyethylene (PE) gas pipe was installed in the UK in 1969. diameters 500 and 630mm, and as a
Since then, developments in PE material grades have facilitated suitable alternative to other PE pipes
major transformations in pipe structure, strength and longevity. available in the market for iron pipe
replacement. The field trials
This has made it possible for manufacturers to offer higher pressure confirmed that the combined ProFuse®
pipes and, by combining PE with other materials, offer solutions to pipe and large diameter electrofusion
more challenging applications and installation techniques fittings would bring:
Increased operating pressure
GAS HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED to Why polyethylene? Increased network capacity
UK consumers for around 200 years Polyethylene is lightweight, does not Improved jointing integrity
through a network of pipe, constructed corrode and is the ideal material for Efficiency gains using Easigrip® couplers
over many decades as the number of the construction and rehabilitation of Reduced pipe damage
customers gradually increased. Most of all pipelines. As an inert material, it Reduced installation time
this network is made of iron pipes that offers excellent chemical resistance, it
are now more than 100 years old and is flexible, durable and pipes made of With its unique protective
need replacing. PE have a smooth internal bore, which polypropylene sacrificial skin,
Under the authority of the HSE, the increases their hydraulic characteristics. ProFuse® is ideal for use in pipe
Iron Mains Risk Reduction Programme One of the many other benefits of PE replacement or rehabilitation and the
addresses the potential risk of failure of pipes is that they can be fused together lining of ageing metallic pipelines
‘at-risk’ iron gas mains. The risk, safety to form a fully welded, one-piece using less obtrusive trenchless
and reliability of ageing gas pipelines pipeline for maximum leak tightness, installation techniques. The PE100
are central to this ongoing 30-year gas with end load bearing properties core of the pipe is protected, free
mains replacement programme, which overcoming the need for restraints such from contaminants and surface
started in 2002. The programme will as concrete anchor blocks. In addition, damage from production to the point
see over 250,000km of gas pipelines PE can be successfully combined with of installation and reinstatement.
replaced, with around 100,000km other materials such as polypropylene The skin is peeled locally to make
replaced with polyethylene pipe to or aluminium to form multi-layer pipes an electrofusion or butt-fusion joint,
ensure a continued safe and reliable gas designed for specialist installation without the need to scrape the pipe,
supply for the years to come. techniques or for the protection of fluids bringing time and installation cost
carried in the pipeline. savings especially at large diameters.

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