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Tube Products International March 2013
large diameter pipe
Forecast for US demand
US demand for large diameter pipe is
projected to rise 6.2 per cent annually
to 2016, to 197 million feet. Growth will
benefit from the repair and replacement
of wastewater infrastructure, as many
pipe projects, which were put on hold
during the 2006-2011 period due to
state and municipal budget concerns,
move forward.
The need to expand oil and gas
transmission lines, especially near shale
plays and other unconventional wells,
will also spur growth. Improvement in
manufacturing activity will boost pipe
demand in processing applications.
These and other trends are presented
in Large Diameter Pipe, a new study
from industry market research firm The
Freedonia Group, Inc.
Sewers, which include both storm and
sanitary sewers, will continue to be the
leading market for large diameter pipe
up to 2016, accounting for one half of
total demand. Gains in large diameter
storm sewer pipe will come in large
part from the US population migrating
toward the south and west regions of
the country. Additionally, Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) mandates will
provide opportunities for growth, as
regulations regarding combined sewer
overflows have become more stringent.
As a result, many locales will be required
to replace combined storm/sanitary
sewer systems. The drainage market will
experience the most robust growth in
large diameter pipe demand through the
forecast period, benefiting significantly
from a rebound in building construction.
By 2016, oil and gas will be the only
major market for large diameter pipe
that will have a significantly higher level
of demand than 2006 levels.
Steel and high density polyethylene
(HDPE) were the two leading large
diameter pipe materials in 2011, each
accounting for 31 per cent of total
demand. Opportunities in the oil and
gas industry will spur growth for steel,
as it is the preferred material in both line
pipe and OCTG applications.
HDPE will post above average gains as
it continues to replace other materials
in many applications. For example,
corrugated HDPE will continue to
replace concrete pipe in many drainage
applications, benefiting from its ease of
installation and light weight.
Concrete will post the most rapid
growth, as the material continues to
benefit from its established position in
most water markets and its performance
advantages in the largest diameter uses.
The Freedonia Group, Inc
– USA
Large diameter pipe cutting and bevelling
PIPELtd,establishedin1989,isasupplier
of specialist pipework fabrication tools
and handling equipment for on-site or
workshop requirements. The company
manufactures and supplies a range
of hot and cold cutting and bevelling
solutions for pipes of almost any
material, wall thickness and diameter,
and is able to cater for any cutting and
bevelling requirements, whether cold
or hot cutting, for workshop or on-site
environments.
Two of the most popular machines
in the company’s range are the split
frame cutting and bevelling machines:
the heavy duty steel frame Supercutter
and the lightweight alloy body MCA
Clamshell. These machines are
designed for the cold cutting and
bevelling of pipes up to 60" outside
diameter, where the use of a hot cutting
method is prohibited or a machined
bevel is required.
The split frame design enables
the operator to mount the machine
anywhere along a pipeline to cut and
bevel the pipe simultaneously. Suitable
for on-site work or in areas where
there is restricted access to the pipe,
due to their low profile design, once
clamped on the pipe the cut and bevel
is produced by an inner rotating ring,
housing cutting tools mounted in spring
loaded toolboxes which follow the
contour of the pipe to produce
an accurate weld preparation.
Cutting tools are available to
machine mild steel, stainless
steel and exotic materials such
as Duplex and Super Duplex.
Machines can be supplied with
electric, pneumatic or hydraulic
motors, and models are available
to cut from 1" to 60" pipe, with
all types of weld preparation
achievable on wall thicknesses
up to 60mm.
The latest addition to PIPE Ltd’s
split frame cold cutting and bevelling
machine range is the Hypercutter. This
rugged, heavy-duty steel split frame
machine is designed for the cold cutting
and bevelling of pipes of up to 108"
diameter. Producing square cuts and
weld-ready machine finish bevels with
ease, the Hypercutter is hydraulically
powered, giving it the strength to
machine even the toughest of materials,
in the most arduous of working
environments. Each Hypercutter covers
a 12" diameter range.
PIPE Ltd has also extended its range
of hot cutting systems. The E-Z Cut
range allows the cutting and bevelling
of pipes of almost any diameter, wall
thickness and material, and is suitable
for use with oxy-acetylene, propane
or plasma cutting systems, depending
on the application. Using guide bands
for sizes above 18" ensures 100 per
cent square cuts and bevels. The E-Z
Cut range is available as a manual
hand crank model, and 110v or 230v
motorised versions.
PIPE Ltd
– UK
PIPE Ltd’s Hypercutter
