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Centrifuge rotors turn to composites' benefits
APPLICATI
A
l&j
Glassfibre pipes channel power plant’s cooling water BEETLE Plastics of Oklahoma, USA, is supplying composite pipe for the Mahanagdong geothermal power project in the Philippines, which is said to possess abundant geothermal resources. Geothermal power plants take advantage of a natural, clean energy source - heat from the earth’s interior. One essential element of a geothermal energy project on the Philippine Island of Leyte is a cooling water line made with lightweight, corrosion-resistant isopolyester composite pipe. Composite pipe was specified over the alternative, stainless steel, because of favourable delivery time. Isopolyester composite can also provide the required strength at a lower density. According to Beetle Plastics, the composite pipe weighs about onesixth that of a comparable steel pipe allowing it to be handled with lighter equipment. Furthermore, low weight and high stiffness allow the pipe to be
made into longer lengths so there are fewer joints during installation. It can be cut at any point and joined with no major grinding or end preparation.
on the inside surfaces of the pipe and fittings to create a resin-rich surface for improved corrosion resistance and fluid dynamics.
Beetle Plastics fabricated the pipe by filament winding resin-impregnated glass-fibre roving onto a cylindrical mandrel. The fibres are wound at the optimal angle for maximizing the pipe’s axial and burst strength. The resin used is Aropol 7334 unsaturated isophthalic polyester from Ashland Chemical Co of Columbus, USA, and the defining performancerelated ingredient in the resin’s manufacture is purified isophthalic acid (PL4) from Chicago-based Amoco Chemicals.
The isopolyester is said to contribute to the pipe’s thermal stability, burst strength and corrosion resistance. Most of the pipe is underground where the isopolyester resists the slightly corrosive soil of the region. For the portion that runs over the ground, the isopolyester resists the corrosive effects of tropical rains and high humidity. UV inhibitors are added to improve resistance to sunlight. The project comprises three geothermal energy units at two sites, and is scheduled to be completed later this year.
Composite elbows and fittings that connect the cooling water loop with other system elements are either mitered or openmoulded of chopped strand mat and woven roving impregnated with the same isopolyester resin. A 1.3 mm C-veil/mat is used
Frank L. Michaels, Amoco Chemicals; tel: + 1-312-856-4729; fax: + 1-312-856-4151; Simon Scott, Ashland Chemical Company; tel: + l614- 790-3198; fax: -+ l614- 790-3 735; Dan Barney, Beetle Plastics Inc; tel: + l-405-389-5421.
The low weight and high stiffness of isopolyester composites enable long pipe lengths with fewer joints to be achieved, but still maintains economy in installation relative to metal pipes.
Reinforced Plastics February 1997
Centrifuge rotors turn to composites’ benefits KONTRON Instruments of Watford, UK, has launched a series of composite fmed-angle rotors for ultra- and high-speed centrifuges. The Fiberlite Centrifuge rotors are manufactured from a lightweight and resilient carbon fibre composite material, and they are said to have numerous benefits over their metallic counterparts in terms of worker safety, accuracy of analysis, productivity and economy. Developed for strength and structural integrity, the materials used in the rotors are resistant to chemical, moisture and stress corrosion-induced fatigue, they have noncatastrophic failure properties, and their use typically allows the rotors to last two to three times longer than similar ones made from metal, says the company. At approximately half the weight of their metallic counterparts, the rotors offer faster acceleration and deceleration times, they minimise wear and tear on the centrifuge drive and are easier for laboratory workers to handle, and reduce potential injuries to the spine and lower back. According to Kontron Instruments, the composite rotors are an effective replacement for many popular metallic ones.
Colin Fallowfield, Kontron Instruments; tel: + 44-1923-412215; fax: + 44- 1923- 4 12282.
A
l&j
Glassfibre pipes channel power plant’s cooling water BEETLE Plastics of Oklahoma, USA, is supplying composite pipe for the Mahanagdong geothermal power project in the Philippines, which is said to possess abundant geothermal resources. Geothermal power plants take advantage of a natural, clean energy source - heat from the earth’s interior. One essential element of a geothermal energy project on the Philippine Island of Leyte is a cooling water line made with lightweight, corrosion-resistant isopolyester composite pipe. Composite pipe was specified over the alternative, stainless steel, because of favourable delivery time. Isopolyester composite can also provide the required strength at a lower density. According to Beetle Plastics, the composite pipe weighs about onesixth that of a comparable steel pipe allowing it to be handled with lighter equipment. Furthermore, low weight and high stiffness allow the pipe to be
made into longer lengths so there are fewer joints during installation. It can be cut at any point and joined with no major grinding or end preparation.
on the inside surfaces of the pipe and fittings to create a resin-rich surface for improved corrosion resistance and fluid dynamics.
Beetle Plastics fabricated the pipe by filament winding resin-impregnated glass-fibre roving onto a cylindrical mandrel. The fibres are wound at the optimal angle for maximizing the pipe’s axial and burst strength. The resin used is Aropol 7334 unsaturated isophthalic polyester from Ashland Chemical Co of Columbus, USA, and the defining performancerelated ingredient in the resin’s manufacture is purified isophthalic acid (PL4) from Chicago-based Amoco Chemicals.
The isopolyester is said to contribute to the pipe’s thermal stability, burst strength and corrosion resistance. Most of the pipe is underground where the isopolyester resists the slightly corrosive soil of the region. For the portion that runs over the ground, the isopolyester resists the corrosive effects of tropical rains and high humidity. UV inhibitors are added to improve resistance to sunlight. The project comprises three geothermal energy units at two sites, and is scheduled to be completed later this year.
Composite elbows and fittings that connect the cooling water loop with other system elements are either mitered or openmoulded of chopped strand mat and woven roving impregnated with the same isopolyester resin. A 1.3 mm C-veil/mat is used
Frank L. Michaels, Amoco Chemicals; tel: + 1-312-856-4729; fax: + 1-312-856-4151; Simon Scott, Ashland Chemical Company; tel: + l614- 790-3198; fax: -+ l614- 790-3 735; Dan Barney, Beetle Plastics Inc; tel: + l-405-389-5421.
The low weight and high stiffness of isopolyester composites enable long pipe lengths with fewer joints to be achieved, but still maintains economy in installation relative to metal pipes.
Reinforced Plastics February 1997
Centrifuge rotors turn to composites’ benefits KONTRON Instruments of Watford, UK, has launched a series of composite fmed-angle rotors for ultra- and high-speed centrifuges. The Fiberlite Centrifuge rotors are manufactured from a lightweight and resilient carbon fibre composite material, and they are said to have numerous benefits over their metallic counterparts in terms of worker safety, accuracy of analysis, productivity and economy. Developed for strength and structural integrity, the materials used in the rotors are resistant to chemical, moisture and stress corrosion-induced fatigue, they have noncatastrophic failure properties, and their use typically allows the rotors to last two to three times longer than similar ones made from metal, says the company. At approximately half the weight of their metallic counterparts, the rotors offer faster acceleration and deceleration times, they minimise wear and tear on the centrifuge drive and are easier for laboratory workers to handle, and reduce potential injuries to the spine and lower back. According to Kontron Instruments, the composite rotors are an effective replacement for many popular metallic ones.
Colin Fallowfield, Kontron Instruments; tel: + 44-1923-412215; fax: + 44- 1923- 4 12282.