TPI January 2009

developments products &

Biogas high speed record achievement

leakage performance of the CO 2

An optimised Audi A4-B7 Quattro has set a biogas high speed record on the Papenburg racetrack in Germany. The car, which was retrofitted with natural gas technology, reached a speed of 327.2km/h (203.2mph).

neutral

biogas system.

Swagelok Company has a track record in the supply of products and services to the alternative fuels industry, supporting the design and production of natural gas vehicles, filling stations, and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The company’s components were used in

The Audi A4-B7 Quattro was modified to S S use natural gas

Swagelok Company fittings and tubing components were used to ensure zero-

the recent EcoFuel World Tour, which set a Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled by a natural gas vehicle, powered by natural gas fuel bought en route. The VW Caddy used standard Swagelok Company products, readily available through the company’s global sales and service centres. “With current climate and economic concerns, alternative fuels are becoming more popular as a viable solution for business and consumer needs alike,” commented Bernd Beltermann, field engineer at Swagelok Company.

Cast iron drainage systems A new development in the East Midlands is one of the first in the UK to specify the Ensign Eezi-Fit range of cast iron drainage systems from Saint-Gobain Pipelines. Highcross Court is a new build development of 144 luxury flats in five blocks. Mechanical and electrical consultants for the project, Silcock Dawson & Partners, specified cast iron for the above ground drainage due to its appearance and acoustic performance. Despite pressure to switch to plastic drainage systems because of their perceived lower cost, the benefits of the new Eezi-Fit push-fit

range, including its ability to avoid joints in the floor screed, convinced the developers to stay with cast iron. Saint-Gobain demonstrated the Eezi-Fit product to plumbing contractor Sleaford Building Services, who were impressed by its quality, ease and speed of installation, and environmental advantages over plastic alternatives. Barry Exton, a director of Sleaford Building Services, commented, “The Eezi-Fit range incorporates a unique manifold waste connector fitting with an extended bottom connection spigot that, due to its extended length, clears a floor make up/screed of up to 300mm and therefore negates the installation of a joint in the floor constructions, with the obvious issues this has the potential

The Audi A4 during the record-breaking S S attempt

Ensign Eezi-Fit drainage systems S S from Saint-Gobain Pipelines have been used in a new UK housing development

“Today’s achievement demonstrates that ecology and driving pleasure are indeed complementary. As OEMs roll out their flagship alternative fuel offerings, they can look to Swagelok to provide components they know are reliable and safe.” The conversion and optimisation of the Audi A4-B7 Quattro car that set the record was a joint project involving partners such as German companies TüV Rheinland’s Competence Centre for Alternative Fuels in Saarbrücken, the tuner Hohenester of Ingolstadt and the Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft Saarbrücken. record

to cause. We used a large number of these fittings to connect to sanitaryware appliances and a particular benefit was the use of the low level manifold inlets, providing a solution to ensure invert and gradient levels were achieved, even from low outlet shower trays. The fact that the Eezi-Fit components simply push together made for a very fast installation.” Derrick Brookes of Saint-Gobain Pipelines added, “Versatility and suitability of the range for both residential and commercial applications is already generating significant interest from specifiers for a number of projects. We believe Eezi-Fit is set to become the range of choice where ease of installation is required without compromise elsewhere.”

EnsignEezi-Fit isKitemarkapproved toBSEN877 for gravity, sanitaryapplications and manufactured under BS EN ISO 9001: 2004 quality assurance.

Saint-Gobain Pipelines – UK sales.uk.pipelines@saint-gobain.com • www.saint-gobain-pipelines.co.uk

Swagelok Europe – Switzerland www.swagelok.com

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Tube Products International January 2009

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