HDPE Compatibility
HDPE Compatibility
(OP)
I was planning on using HDPE pipe for GW collection.
The EPA's Chemical Compatibility Table says that HDPE is "Unsatisfactory" when Benzene is present.
Although I've been told that Benzene is the most common driver for gas station site remediation, and that HDPE is fairly common in that arena.
Anyone know if HDPE is problem with Benzene or any references that I could use.
Thanks for any suggestions
The EPA's Chemical Compatibility Table says that HDPE is "Unsatisfactory" when Benzene is present.
Although I've been told that Benzene is the most common driver for gas station site remediation, and that HDPE is fairly common in that arena.
Anyone know if HDPE is problem with Benzene or any references that I could use.
Thanks for any suggestions





RE: HDPE Compatibility
If you are planning on using HDPE piping with a concentrated bezene solution, HDPE will probably not be suitable.
If you are planning on a short term project and are pumping an aqueous solution with a couple of ppm of bezene, HDPE will hold up fine.
RE: HDPE Compatibility
RE: HDPE Compatibility
With regard specifically to hdpe pipe, one wonders also if contamination due to absorption of hydrocarbons over time might eventually even cause some perhaps non-obvious future problems, such as difficulties in fusion welding pipeline repairs/cut-ins or taps?
There is a thread at http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=119794 with some arguably related references and of course a growing matrix of problems associated with generally more concentrated exposures in service station areas etc. e.g. as explained at http://
RE: HDPE Compatibility
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RE: HDPE Compatibility
RE: HDPE Compatibility
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Note that there are additional references listed in the paper.
RE: HDPE Compatibility
RE: HDPE Compatibility
Engineering is ultimately a matter of expert judgment based on sound (but necessarily complete) evidence.
If you absolutely, positively want to verify the compatibility of HDPE (or any other piping material) with the contained fluid, you would have to demonstrate it with an actual sample of the fluid according to the procedures in the following link.
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Most people do not have the time nor the resources to go out and test every application on every project so that you can be assured that you are scientifically correct 100% of the time.
baltmore is talking about a gas station project. That would generally be a small site maybe 150 ft x 150 ft. The piping would probably be mostly 1-2 inches in diameter. The pumped fluid is probably at low operating pressures. The concentration of benzene in gasoline product is only 1-2%, so the concentration in remedial ground water will be much less. 4-5 mg/l of benzene in the ground water would probably be considered to be a high level of contamination. He is probably talking about a short-term project, not something that will go for 20 years. In short, remediation at a gas station would not be considered to be a demanding application.
In light of the above comments, even if the piping material that you selected turned out to be inappropriate, the consequences of the piping decision are not that great. Nobody is going to be injured. The worst case, you probably have to replace some small bore piping that costs about $5 for 10 feet.
On the other hand, if you were selecting a landfill liner that must last indefinitely, you would not want to be so flippant with the liner selection since the consequences of a failure may be extremely costly.