TPT November 2007

Technology Update

Thermal insulation for sub-sea oil and gas flow-lines Dow Hyperlast, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has introduced Hyperlast™ 7980327 low density syntactic polyurethane, which features insulation and protection enhancements for sub-sea oil and gas flow-lines and similar marine applications worldwide. With over 22 years’ experience in developing sub-sea insulation and protection products, Dow Hyperlast has developed the material using an environmentally non-hazardous catalyst system which reduces potential waste disposal costs. With a K-value of 0.105 w/mk, Hyperlast 7980327 requires reduced thickness to achieve a specified level of insulation (U–value), while the lower density results in less kilos per metre of coated pipe.

Specialist in multilayer pipe and crimp-fittings in PPSU

Valsir, Italy, is a specialist in the technology of multilayer pipes and crimp-fittings. The company’s Pexal-easy is an advanced system of fittings made of Polyphenyl Sulfone (PPSU). The material’s characteristics make the new Pexal-easy fittings equal in performance and quality to brass fittings. The elevated mechanical characteristics (including tensile strength and modulus of elasticity) exceed those of normal polymers, and are similar in performance to metal fittings, withstanding accidental or deliberate blows, either at low or high temperatures. The body of the fitting, the nuts and the threads are all made from PPSU. Pexal-easy also possesses elevated ageing resistance that is maintained even at high temperatures. The structure of the fittings is immune to chemical agents, and it can therefore be laid in grooves or in surface mounting. Connection between the pipe and the fitting is carried out easily, reducing the laying times. An innovative system that locks the nut onto the fitting ensures a firm connection with the pipe, eliminating

› An example of the use of Valsir’s Pexal-easy pipe fittings

the possibility of error, and the base of the thread features a special anti-loosening profile. The fitting can be reused without having to replace the o-rings or the nut. Unlike other systems, with Pexal-easy there is no reduction in the bore when passing from the pipe to the insert, meaning a significant reduction in pressure drops. Where a 5 / 8 " pipe was required, with Pexal-easy it is possible to use a 1 / 2 " pipe.

Valsir SpA – Italy Fax : +39 0365 820 261 Website : www.valsir.it

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› Dow Hyperlast has developed a new polyurethane for sub-sea lines

Practical benefits include increased capacity for carrying reels of pipe on lay ships and pipe barges, with potential savings resulting from the reduced number of trips during pipe laying operations. Processing of the new product is as easy as the existing Hyperlast Syntactic 512™ product, with fast production cycles requiring low energy demands. Dow Hyperlast was created after Dow Polyurethanes, a business group of The Dow Chemical Company, acquired British Vita’s polyurethane systems business, Hyperlast Limited. The Hyperlast acquisition includes elastomer systems enterprises in the UK and USA, as well as Autothane Limited, a manufacturer of advanced automotive suspension components. The addition of Hyperlast expands Dow’s ability to produce innovative spray cast elastomers for the marine, engineering resin, oil and gas pipeline and automotive industries.

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Dow Hyperlast – UK Fax : +44 1663 746605

Email : help@hyperlast.com Website : www.hyperlast.com

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519 -272 -0921

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N ovember /D ecember 2007