anders andtbacka


Anders Andtbacka is director for standardization and legislation at GF Uponor. He is based in Finland. He is active in a number of standardization working groups and technical committees nationally, in CEN and in ISO. He is also active in several industry associations such as TEPPFA. During his career, he has worked as product manager and technical manager for non-pressure and pressure plastic pipeline systems.

 

  ABSTRACt

ID09

Design Methods and Actual Performance of Large Diameter Structured Wall Pipes


Anders Andtbacka - GF Uponor


Abstract

In 1999, TEPPFA published a project report on the performance of buried thermoplastics pipes. Deflection and strain data were compared with calculation results from several European calculation models. Pipes were installed to different depths of cover, with different levels of compaction, and performance was monitored during traffic loading. Long-term deflection as a function of time was also investigated.

Since the publication of this report, thermoplastics pipes of larger sizes were introduced, and the need for an extension of the design approach became evident. A second phase of the project was initiated in 2017, with installation of DN1000 pipes in early 2018. Installation data was collected and compared with the original report. New results were in expected alignment with previous ones. 

When developing a calculation method relevant for the extension, it was recognized that critical loading cases are minimum depth of cover below dynamic loads, and static loads other than the soil cover. A set of conditions for the method were agreed:


  • Diameters DN 1100 - DN 3000
  • Depth of cover 1.0 – 6.0 m
  • Embedment, fill material around and up to a minimum of 0.15 m above top of the pipe is a granular soil compacted to minimum 90% modified Proctor.
  • Structured wall pipes meet requirements of EN 13476, including 30% ring flexibility

In the first report, calculation models are quite accurate for well-done installations. For poor installation cases, most methods had difficulties defining input values, leading to both overestimation and underestimation of actual values. Importance of correct soil data and workmanship information were crucial.

Comparisons are now made between measured dynamic deflection data of DN 3000 thermoplastic pipes, the new calculation model and the Gumbel method given in BS 9295. Differences between calculated and measured data largely follow the pattern known from the original report.



  ABSTRACt

ID21

Closing the Loop for PE-X Pipe in Practice Through Advanced Recycling 


Anders Andtbacka - GF Uponor


Abstract

Through innovation and experience, PE-X pipe solutions have been enabling comfortable heating and safe plumbing with a successful 50 year track record. They are an important facilitator of the green energy transition and the ambitious climate targets of, for example, the EU Green Deal by enabling energy efficient plumbing and heating solutions. Furthermore, the crosslinking increases temperature resistance, mechanical robustness and resilience to environmental influences and thereby ensures a long and trouble- free life span. To enable true circularity, however, the closing the loop with production/construction site waste as well as in future end of life demolition waste needs to be addressed.

Sustainability principles for circularity are based on the waste hierarchy of firstly reduction & reuse, secondly mechanical recycling and thirdly advanced (chemical) recycling. The reduction and reuse for PE-X has been maximised through the crosslinking of the pipes which optimizes wall thickness (reduce) as well as lifetime (reuse). Mechanical recycling is the first recycling option but is limited to certain down-cycled applications whaile advanced Chemical recycling could close the loop with non mechanically recycled PE-X waste to produce a high quality, drinking water safe PE-X pipe system with the same quality as virgin.

In practice, this third option of advanced chemical recycling requires close co-operation and co-ordination along the whole value chain. This paper will show how four experienced companies have worked together to successfully recycle PE-X waste pipes back into high quality PE-X pipe systems. The learnings of this circularity project will be presented and we hope will stimulate transparency and constructive discussion on the environmental benefits of closing the loop for PE-X pipes. While the initial pilot project used small diameter (17 x 2.0 mm) production scrap, broadening the pool to job-site waste, and finally including pipes at their end of their life will continue to be an exciting subject where value chain cooperation is essential and strong complementary synergies for the green transition of the construction sector can be achieved.


Acknowledgement

WasteWise for breaking down the waste plastics polymers back into their building blocks into circular plastic molecules forming an oil like liquid that is suitable as input for a feedstock at Neste’s refinery.

Neste for refining and upgrading the liquefied waste plastic from WasteWise and processes it into a drop-in feedstock for Borealis’ cracking & polymerisation processes and Uponor virgin like, high quality, crosslinked Pipe production.


References

Plastic Pipes (2021) - Amsterdam - RECYCLING COMMITMENT OF THE EUROPEAN PLASTIC PIPE INDUSTRY


Keywords 

Circular. Closing the loop. PE-X scrap&waste. Advanced Recycling. Value chain cooperation.