HOBAS centrifugal
cast fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar (CCFRPM) pipes now
convey process wastewater
flows at Anheuser Busch breweries in Houston and Columbus. The new
buried pipes are part of an energy saving, environment friendly,
anaerobic pre-treatment system known as the Bio Energy Recovery
System (BERS). The treatment process itself uses less energy than
many municipal units that perform the same function. Additionally,
a methane gas by-product is recovered and is used as fuel for
Anheuser Busch boilers, thus saving more energy and protecting the
environment.
Varied
Conditions
These two BERS projects utilize nearly 9000
feet of 18" and 20" diameter, HOBAS vinyl ester resin
lined, pressure and gravity pipes and associated fittings
including three dozen elbows, more than ten laterals, several
flanges and a reducer. The pipes experience a variety of
conditions. External loads include surface traffic, cover depths
from 2 feet to 17 feet and, occasionally, water head to grade. The
corrosive wastewater temperature is normally in the low 100
degrees F. with peaks possible to 160 degrees F. The pressure
lines operate at about 30 psi with peaks expected to approximately
50 psi.
HOBAS Best
Value
Several types of pipe used on past BERS
projects were evaluated for these two systems. Judgment criteria
included the above noted conditions, the capability to be
leak-free, expected life and cost. Plastic lined metallic products
easily met the operating conditions, but the life span of the
internal linings has been unsatisfactory. 316 stainless steel, a
favored material, is very expensive. HDPE pipes have excellent
corrosion resistance and a competitive price, but require more
care in underground installations. HOBAS pipes, although not the
least expensive nor the highest performer in each category, were
selected as the best value.
Successful
Installation
Contractors, Birdwell Construction in Houston
and the State Group in Columbus were first time HOBAS pipe
installers, but both had lots of praise for the product when their
jobs’ were completed. They found assembly of the pipes and
fittings using the gasket-sealed, push-together, HOBAS FWC
couplings, fast, easy and sure. And because the FWC coupling seals
at any location along the pipe barrel, field length adjustments
were quick and simple. Burial proved very reliable using a dumped
stone pipe zone surround. However, few jobs are without any
problems and these two were no exception. In both cases, a couple
of damaged pipes had to be replaced after burial. This was easily
accomplished by removing the effected areas and tying-in new pipes
using mechanical couplings.
Present
& Future
The completed installations passed 50 psi
(Houston) and 60 psi (Columbus) hydrotests without any leakage!
Anheuser Busch engineers are pleased with the performance of their
HOBAS CCFRPM pipes and are already considering them for additional
systems. Finally, it may be coincidence or it may be fate, but
each HOBAS pipe is dated during production, the same as the famous
Anheuser Busch beers.
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