TPi April 2008

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April 2008 Tube Products International 19
developmentsproducts &
Plastic pipework
Hytek’s Universal Petro Pipe (UPP) offers an alternative for specifiers and buyers
who want to move away from traditional galvanised materials in favour of plastic
pipework.
Designed especially for the Fuel Oil Generator Systems (FOGS) and heating oil
transfer markets, the UPP secondary contained pipework system is suitable for
carrying diesel, heating oil, gasoil and petrol. It can also be used for aviation
fuels and Adblue, providing special stainless steel end fittings have been used.
The pipework is lightweight, flexible, non-metallic polyethylene. Supplied in
coils of up to 100m, it is possible to create one continuous strong and flexible
pipe system. With UPP, joints can be electrofusion welded, so there is no need
for underground inspection chambers as required by regulations for other
plastic pipe.
As recommended in the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations
2001, Hytek’s Secondary Containment system features a coaxial sleeve pipe.
Pre-fitted over UPP extra primary pipe, it enables fuel and oil lines to be installed
with an uninterrupted interstitial space between each end of the pipe.
UPP extra is the lined primary pipe used in the UPP Secondary Contained
system and features a tough nylon liner. Its smooth bore and low friction loss
permits fuel at higher velocities than steel pipe.
The company states that over 6 million metres of UPP pipe have been
successfully installed worldwide over the past 24 years, with not one reported
product failure. A full range of fittings and termination options are available.
Full system design facilities and technical support are available, as well as free
system installation training. Hytek is the only UK supplier of UPP, and products
are sold only through distributors. End users should contact their pipe buyer or
specifier.
Hytek (GB) Ltd – UK
Hytek’s UPP secondary contained pipework S S
Thermoplastic
compounds
replacing brass
in pipes, taps
and fittings
Industrial and social growth of the
Far East and emerging countries has
increased the consumption of metals to
unexpected levels. The consequences
of steel, aluminium, copper and its
alloys being used with greater intensity
are price increases and decreased
availability.
Looking at the price of copper, over
four years the cost per ton almost
quadrupled, from US$1,700 in 2003 to
US$6,500 by the end of 2006.
The reduced availability of metals,
long delivery times and higher prices
have created serious issues, causing
production and time to market problems
for ongoing projects.
The price evolution of copper has
generated difficulties for its alloys, in
particular for brass, whose cost, in 2004,
had increased by over 20%, causing a
downturn in the finished product market
and related exports. The latter is a
dramatic issue, considering the position
of European manufacturing in the field
of pipe fittings, taps, hydraulic and
pneumatic valves.
The substitution of brass has become
an important consideration in order to
maintain a leading position in the market
and ensure business continuity.
Lati, a European specialist in
thermoplastic compounds, is
collaborating with several Italian and
foreign companies on replacing brass
and other metals, in particular in the
pipe fitting manufacturing industry.
Working with the correct base resins,
reinforced and stabilised, it is possible to
engineer products offering a mechanical
performance similar to metals but at
lower costs and with simpler and faster
production processes.
Lati’s products are intended for injection
moulding, a technique that allows the
finished parts to be obtained with a
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