The Real Value of RPS Composite Pipe Systems
According to the NACE sponsored Cost of Corrosion study*, the Production and Manufacturing Industries spend $17.6 billion annually to fight corrosion. Production and Manufacturing Industries include oil production, mining, petroleum refining, chemical and pharmaceutical production, and agricultural and food production. A significant portion of those costs involve replacement in kind, of corroded metallic pipe systems or upgrades to more corrosion resistant metals. In many of these applications custom designed composite pipe systems, either FRP or thermoplastic lined FRP, offer lower installed costs and lower life cycle costs.
It’s estimated that the supply price of pipe and fittings represents only 30% of the installed cost of a pipe system. So saving 5%, 10%, or even 20% on the purchase price of a pipe bill of materials may only lead to a 2% to 7% saving on the installed cost and that only provides value if that initial saving is sustainable through the installation and the expected/required life cycle of the system. Construction delays due to late delivery, premature failures due to improper material selection, component design, or system design will quickly wipe out any initial cost savings and significantly increase project costs.
As with any pipe material, successful application of composite pipe systems requires a broad perspective that goes beyond just material selection and fabrication. At RPS Composites we provide added value to our customers by providing customers with answers and solutions to these critical questions and challenges:
Material Selection
What is the right choice of Thermoset Resin, Thermoplastic Resin, Reinforcements, and Curing Systems for each application?
Specifications
What is the appropriate corrosion resistant liner material and construction? What are the relevant Codes, Standards, and Design Criteria? Are you looking at replacing a pipe system? Did you get the service life you expected from the existing system? If you didn’t get at least 20 years, you should be asking why, and you should be looking at choice of material, component and system design, quality of manufacturer, expertise of installer, etc. before “replacing in kind”.
Component Design
What are the appropriate Fitting Flexibility Factors and Stress Intensification Factors?
Joints
What is the most cost effective joint system for each application – laminated, tapered adhesive bonded, flanged, bell & spigot “O” ring?
System Stress Analysis
RPS conducted analysis or guidance in analyzing composite pipe systems ensures pipe system stresses are at acceptable levels.
Manufacturing
Capacity and Project Management to coordinate engineering, manufacturing, pipe spooling, and transportation with construction schedules. RPS Spool Tracker ™ provides higher customer visibility: at any point in time we can tell you where each of your parts is in production, and we’re working on giving access to our clients.
Installation
Installation services, training, and quality assurance to ensure pipe systems are installed as designed.
Maintenance
Inspection and maintenance service for the life of the system.
Composite pipe systems, FRP and Dual Laminate, offer performance and cost savings over metals in many applications. The true cost/value of a pipe system, composite or metallic, can only be determined when we have considered all the above factors. “Replace in kind” should not be your first or only choice if you have not realized an acceptable service life from your existing pipe system. Composite materials can offer improved service life over metals and lined metal systems.
At RPS we help you realize the full benefits of choosing composite pipe systems by supplying you with smarter choices. Fill out our Request Information form to get started.
* https://www.nace.org/Publications/Cost-of-Corrosion-Study/