Utilização de tubos em polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD) para dutos e emissários submarinos

Abstract

The use of tubes of Polyethylene of High Density (HDPE) in Brazil, in spite of not being so recent, it has been developing on these last years, being considered a market now in expansion. The applications with systems of water and gas the low pressure is the one of larger use, maybe, due to the application engineers' little information on HDPE for more severe services, with detailed information on the limits of application of this material. This work aims at to do a comparison of the tubes of polyethylene of high density with the one of steels carbon, applied in piping and emissaries submarine, turning clearer the limitations for application in these areas that move great inventories. For so much it will be analyzed and compared the properties, the characteristics, the acting, the norms NBR and applicable ISO, the used accessories, the installation techniques, and the acting of the tubes of HDPE, in relation to the tubes of steel carbon in piping and underwater emissaries. For a better development of this bibliographical research it was accompanied in field the welding of this thermoplastic, from his/her initial preparation to the end of the solder, besides the installation technique and fixation of the tubes of PEAD with diameter of 1735 mm, and thickness of 80,1 mm, used in the underwater emissary from Salvador. Besides, the facilities of the company Bahia Gas were visited for knowledge of the technique of installation of tubes of HDPE through the no-destructive method (MND). This technique is very used, mainly in urban areas, where the conflicts of nets and the damages the roads publish should be minimized.