Gas & Coal Seam Gas

Vinidex has always excelled in supplying the high quality pipe and fitting systems that the natural gas and coal seam gas industries require. Our pipe offers long life, corrosion resistance, impact resistance and smooth bore for good gas and water flow.  The lightness of Vinidex gas pipe makes it easy to transport, handle and install, offering overall project savings.

Vinidex has expanded its capacity in a range of products including PE pipe in recent years to meet market and customer needs. Vinidex owners have shown willingness to provide capital for growth. Most recently we have installed new equipment to expand the PE pipe capacity in Townsville, which is one of the major supply site for PE pipe for coal seam gas pipelines. Previously we installed a large diameter PE line in Wagga capable of manufacturing up to 1m diameter. We are currently assessing expansion of our Brisbane PE operation and other options closer to the CSG basins to increase PE capacity.

Vinidex supplies the gas markets with a broad portfolio of products including a wide range of diameters of Polyethylene (PE) and PVC pipe and fittings which are used to pipe gas and water. Vinidex PE and PVC gas pipes meet the stringent conditions stipulated by the applicable Australian Standards.

 

Features of PE Pipe

  • High Impact Strength The high impact strength of PE pipes compared with other materials ensures a greater resistance to the rigours of pipe laying conditions.
  • Damage Resistance PE has low notch sensitivity, providing a high level of resistance to the effects of external damage, especially important for pipe bursting operations and others where there is a likelihood of such damage.
  • Abrasion Resistance  Vinidex PE pipes have excellent abrasion resistance providing long life in abrasive slurry applications. In most of these applications PE pipe outlasts other pipe materials such as mild steel and rubber lined steel.
  • Chemical Resistance Outstanding resistance to a wide range of chemical reagents allows the use of polyethylene systems in applications such as: Tailings pipelines and chemical treatment applications used in mining operations.
  • Flexibility PE pipes are flexible and can be bent to a minimum bending radius of 30 times the pipe's outside diameter for HDPE and 20 times the pipe's outside diameter for MDPE. This flexibility is critical in applications such as submarine pipe lines, mine subsidence and earthquake prone areas. This inherent resiliency and flexibility allows the pipe to absorb surge pressures, vibration and stresses caused by soil movement.
  • Ease of Installation PE pipes are easy to install with their light weight and long lengths. Polyethylene coiled pipes are widely used in applications such as stock watering, irrigation systems, communication, gas and reticulated water mains due to rapid installation and the ease and less frequent jointing.
  • Co-extrusions  PE pipe is available in a range of identification colours that may be either coextruded as stripes or "jackets" that completely surround the pipe. Such colours include yellow, blue and lilac. These pipes are coloured for identification purposes and conform with AS/NZS 4130. In addition, Vinidex produces coextruded pipes having a white jacket to minimise temperature rise when exposed to sunlight. These pipes, which are extensively used within the mining industry for example, are intended for use under exposure periods well in excess of those provided for by AS/NZS 4130.
  • Long Life  Polyethylene pipes have a proven high reliability record across a wide range of industries and applications, now approaching a period of 50 years. PE also provides a long maintenance free lifetime with low whole life costs, compared to many other materials, as evidenced by the WSAA Polyethylene Pipeline Code, which predicts life well in excess of 100 years before major rehabilitation is required.
  • High Flow Capacity PE pipes have lower friction factors than most non-plastics materials, such as cementitious linings and fibre reinforced cement. The surface energy characteristics of PE ensure that material deposition is inhibited and the smooth bore characteristic is maintained over the working life of the pipeline.
  • Weathering Resistance PE pipes are stabilised against ultra violet (UV) light degradation by the inclusion of carbon black in the raw material. Black PE pipes are, therefore, suitable for installations where the pipes are exposed to direct sunlight.

Jointing

There are several jointing methods available for PE pipe systems. The extensive fittings ranges available provide design flexibility with PE pipe systems. Where possible, fittings meeting AS/NZS 4129 standard are recommended to be used.

 

  • Butt Welding PE pipe systems can be joined by butt welding to provide homogeneous joints. Preheated pipes and/or fittings are joined under controlled pressure and temperature conditions. A suitably skilled and/or certified operator is essential to ensure adequate weld strength development.
  • Stub Flanges and Backing Plates PE pipes can be flange-jointed by using PE stub flange ends in conjunction with metal backing plates and rubber sealing gasket to match up with pumps, valves etc. provide a demountable joint or to
  •  Poly Clamp  This is an easy demountable joint system using a patented two bolt galvanised steel with integral O ring, on patented flanged shoulders, which are welded on to the ends of the PE pipe. These joints allow for fast assembly and removal or relocation of temporary pipelines in applications such as along tailings dams and dewatering applications.
  • Mechanical Compression Joints  PE pipes 16mm to 160mm outside diameters may be joined by mechanical compression fittings. The Plasson range is recommended, and enables jointing of PE/PE or PE to other pipe materials without the need for power or special tools.

 

 

 

 

  • Electrofusion  Welding of PE pipes by electrofusion couplings provides a homogeneous joint with end load bearing capabilities and the same corrosion resistance as the parent pipe. Electrofusion joints consist of resistance wires embedded into the parent material of the coupler which, when heated by the passage of a controlled electrical current, cause the surrounding PE material to melt and form a fusion joint. Vinidex has the only fully auto recognition electrofusion system available, which is widely accepted as the bench mark for QA in PE gas pipe systems.
  • Installation PE pipes are tough, flexible, and lightweight and offer many cost saving advantages in both above ground and below ground installations. Whilst they are robust and resistant to site damage normal care and sensible handling practices are necessary to ensure trouble free operations. PE pipes should be handled, stored and installed in accordance with Australian Standard AS2033 – "Installation of Polyethylene Pipe Systems". Local Authority regulations and specifications should also be adhered to.

 

Service

 Vinidex supplies large diameter pipe systems up to and including 1000mm and the support services to assist the successful installation and operation of the system. Experienced personnel provide advisory information on such items as the range of pipes and fittings available, the technical features of the product, site and factory fusion, hiring of fusion machines and the available operators of jointing equipment. For further information regarding the design and installation of PE, please consult the Vinidex Mining Manual or the Vinidex Polyethylene Pipe Technical Manual.

Please download some of the product brochures below:

PVC Non Pressure Product Guide Download our PE Pressure pipe brochure (888.99 KB)

 PE Fittings Product Guide PE Fittings Product Guide (6.40 MB) (You must have Winzip to download file)

You can also link to product sections relating to Gas:

 

 

 

 

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