Plastic pipe and U.V. resistance
Plastic pipe and U.V. resistance
(OP)
Hi,
I am planning to run some plastic piping to recycle storm water into our cooling tower (max pump pressure 120kPag). There is little cover in this area so the pipe will get sunlight for most of the day. I was wondering if anyone could advice about how well different products perform in sunlight. I've read a HPDE product claiming it would last 5 years, and a PCV product claimed a 25% reduction in pressure rating after 2 years. I don't know if this is good or not.
Thanks,
MarkkraM
I am planning to run some plastic piping to recycle storm water into our cooling tower (max pump pressure 120kPag). There is little cover in this area so the pipe will get sunlight for most of the day. I was wondering if anyone could advice about how well different products perform in sunlight. I've read a HPDE product claiming it would last 5 years, and a PCV product claimed a 25% reduction in pressure rating after 2 years. I don't know if this is good or not.
Thanks,
MarkkraM





RE: Plastic pipe and U.V. resistance
RE: Plastic pipe and U.V. resistance
RE: Plastic pipe and U.V. resistance
7 years ago I arranged for a ring main around a private property to collect rainwater off the roof. The ring main is mostly buried underground (2000 litres) but some of it is exposed to direct sunlight. The property is located in Western Australia, the UV capital of the world! The HDPE piping is as good as new.
RE: Plastic pipe and U.V. resistance
I hate PVC because it is easily damaged, but its more of a personal thing; in a properly engineered situation it works fine.
Cheers
Steve
RE: Plastic pipe and U.V. resistance
The real design issue, as stated by smckennz, is how hot the pipe will get out in the sun. You will need to derate the pipe's pressure capability to account for the elevated temps. If your pumping head is not that high it shouldn't be a problem.
HDPE is commonly used for above ground piping in the Industrial markets. Dredging, mining, by-pass piping are common above ground applications. Good luck.
Leave room for the pipe to expand and contract with changes in temperature. Make sure you have restrained connections, otherwise you might be surprised when the pipe pulls out of the connection.
visit www.performancepipe.com - formerly driscopipe and plexco.