New software forecasts service life and integrity of PE piping
- Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States)
- Gas Research Inst., Chicago, IL (United States)
New software from the Gas Research Institute (GRI) is especially useful to local distribution companies (LDCs) who have older plastic gas pipe installations and are in warmer climates. The new software, LIFESPAN, enables these companies to predict pipe lifetimes and plan for long range replacement programs. LIFESPAN also is useful for assessing the operational benefits by changing scenarios, such as: what will the pipe lifetime be if pressure is increased (or reduced) by 25%? In addition to its ability to forecast the longterm performance of polyethylene (PE) gas pipe materials by using data from short-term, laboratory-based slow crack growth (SCG) tests, LIFESPAN also can evaluate existing piping systems. Also, it can be used to design new systems, select PE gas piping materials in a cost effective manner for specific operating conditions, and improve inspection and maintenance operations. With information from LIFESPAN, pipe replacements, repairs, or rehabilitation can be done in a scheduled manner for effective use of manpower and equipment resources.
- OSTI ID:
- 64464
- Journal Information:
- Pipeline and Gas Journal, Vol. 222, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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