Polymer piping for GrainCorp

One of Australia's largest bulk materials handling companies, GrainCorp, has adopted an Australian-manufactured polymer pipe system to help overcome potential corrosion issues affecting pneumatic services at its Carrington port facility in Newcastle.

Nearly 200 m of tough but lightweight large diameter (110 mm ID) CalAir Pro-Pipe II has been used by GrainCorp's Ports Division as an alternative to metal piping in a refurbishment of the compressor plant feeding pneumatic equipment used for materials handling equipment and aeration of grain.

The clean, low-friction polymer piping was selected after complying with a rigorous specification issued by GrainCorp to protect the long-term durability of pipelines feeding from the new Kaeser compressor plant.

CalAir's permanently colour-coded Pro-Pipe II product was suitable for use in the areas of particular corrosion concern, connecting this with existing pipelines operating throughout the facility. A combination of plastic welded and pressure joints (stock items prepared outside the grain facility) was used to ensure security of air supply.

Elimination of leaks was further complemented by the low internal friction of the polymer pipeline, which reduces the amount of energy required from the compressors to push air through the system at 7 bar.

The CalAir Pro-Pipe II polymer piping system chosen for the application is totally recyclable.

Besides energy savings resulting from the pipelines' low friction, non-corrosive interiors, their cleanliness also helps ensure utmost purity in the reticulation systems serving pneumatic and liquid services (ie, they do not rust externally or clog up internally to foul tools and processes). Polymer is also less sensitive to ambient temperature changes, so its better insulation values inhibit condensation build-ups that are the natural enemy of production processes.