ANDY WEDGNER
Andy took up the post of President of the PE100+ Association on 1st June 2024, having previously been the European Vice President and the Communications Manager. Andy’s aim as president is to continue developing the association, ensuring that it promotes the use of PE100 pipe systems, whilst being a leading source of independent information and technical guidance for the PE pipe community.
ID12
The use of PE100+ Materials in Trenchless Technology Applications
Andrew Wedgner - PE100+ Association, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
Robin Bresser - PE100+ Association, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
Abstract
PE100 pipes are the most widely used material for the installation, rehabilitation and replacement of pressure pipes for water and gas supply and for pressure sewers. Such pipes can be installed using a broad range of trenchless technologies and hence the selection of the most appropriate method and identification of the correct standards can be a challenge for end user organisations.
The PE100+ Association, working with trenchless industry experts developed an online guide to educate end users about the different technologies. The guide also aids users in selecting appropriate trenchless methods for the use of PE100 pipes in both new installation and rehabilitation works.
The paper and presentation will provide an overview of the trenchless methods that can be used to install PE100 pipes, together with a summary of the EN ISO 11295 family of standards that cover these trenchless methods and an introduction to the online guide.
ID19
Published Hydrogen Permeation Study on 4 Different Types of PE Pipes
Andrew Wedgner - PE100+ Association, The Netherlands
Norbert Jansen - Borealis Polymere GmbH, Germany
Rainer Kloth - PE100+ Association, The Netherlands
Abstract
Hydrogen is going to be an important energy source for the future. Existing gas networks and new gas networks need to be compatible to hydrogen and mixes of hydrogen and/or natural gas or biogas.
The physical performance and chemical resistance to hydrogen at the common distribution network pressures have been tested for different PE pipes in laboratory and field tests. Several papers at recent Plastic Pipes Conferences (1)(3) have confirmed that the systems made of classified PE80, PE100 and PE100-RC are resistant to hydrogen and there is no physical or chemical degration observed nor expected. As the hydrogen is a smaller molecule, a higher permeation through different materials is expected compared to natural gas. However a quantification, helpful for example for the risk assessment of a gas network owner, was partly missing.
Therefore, the PE100+ Association has sponsored a technical investigation (2) to define the permeation rate of hydrogen through polyethylene pipes at an external expert laboratory in Germany. 4 different types of PE pipe materials according to EN1555-1 in the same pipe size OD 110mm SDR17 have been evaluated at the 3 different target temperatures 8°C, 14°C and 20°C and at one target pressure level of 6,3 barg and exposed to 100% hydrogen. The presentation will show the individual test results.
Acknowledgement
Thanks to the Technical committee of PE100+ Association who defined the test conditions, the monitored execution, checked the final report and organized the publication on www.pe100plus.com
References
1) Hydrogen transport in polymer pipes for natural gas distribution – ten years of experience – Plastic Pipes Conference 2020 - Stephan Kneck, Borealis Polymers Oy, Henrik Iskov Danish Gas Technology Centre
2) Permeation study on polyethylene pipes at different temperatures - Final report GUT 6789/2022, executed by DBI Gas-und Umwelttechnik GmbH Leipzig and published by PE100+ Association under www.pe100plus.com
3) Modern PE pipe enables the transport of hydrogen – Plastic Pipes Conference 2018 –R.J.M. Hermkens, H.A. Ophoff-KIWA Technology; H.Colmer-Groningen Sea Ports
Keywords
PE100+ Association, hydrogen, permeation, pipe samples, Polyethylene, PE80, PE100, PE100-RC