Projects with several connected buildings often pose a challenge: The difficulty lies in transporting heating or cooling fluids without losing quality.
The aquatherm energy product family offers safe solutions in the fields of local heating and cooling, as well as drinking water networks. aquatherm energy is a pre-insulated pipe system made of polypropylene for underground installation. It is ideally suited for transporting drinking water or heating and cooling water over longer distances. It can also be used in the field of geothermal energy.
Name:
Gateshead Energy Centre
Completion:
2018
The challenge:
The extension of the existing Heat network was required whilst reducing the impact on local residents and businesses.
Solution:
During the installation of the aquatherm pipework, the contractors were able to install within a working area of just 80 metres, which made life significantly easier for the local residents and businesses. oad closures were reduced thus limiting the risk of traffic congestion and decreasing the number of diversions required. Less equipment was required to protect the trench, resulting in reduced costs.
Applications:
District Heating
Products:
AQUATHERM ENERGY
Innovative pilot project by aquatherm and Tracto Technik
In Gilleleje, Denmark, a pioneering pilot project in district heating was carried out. Traditionally, insulated steel pipes have been used for horizontal drilling in district heating networks when crossing rivers, motorways, or other hard-to-reach areas. This process involved first laying a steel casing pipe, into which the pre-insulated steel pipe was then inserted. This project in Denmark demonstrates that with modern aquatherm plastic pipes made of PP-RCT, district heating pipelines can be installed more quickly and efficiently.
The trenchless installation technique allows for the construction of district heating networks with minimal impact on the environment. There is no need for time-consuming excavation work by excavators, meaning that vegetation and soil remain largely undisturbed. This makes the method particularly suitable for areas important for nature conservation.
Challenges that result in high costs and long construction times in traditional open-cut methods can be avoided by using modern drilling technology. This leads to a noticeable reduction in construction time, conservation of resources, and lower overall costs, as extensive restoration work is no longer necessary.
Efficient and cost-saving in difficult terrain
The project in Gilleleje, Denmark, used the Tracto Grundodrill flush drilling rig. Using a controllable drill head with attached drill pipes, a borehole was first drilled at a depth of 3.5 metres along the planned drilling route beneath a river. A drilling fluid made of water and the clay mineral bentonite supported the process. It was applied via nozzles in the drill head during drilling to flush soil out of the drill channel, stabilise it, and cool the tools.
A transmitter in the drill head continuously monitored the drilling progress using a locating system, allowing for corrections if necessary. This controllability of the pilot bore made it possible to navigate around or beneath obstacles. When the drill pipe was withdrawn, the drilling channel was enlarged by an expander head, and the pre-insulated aquatherm energy piping system was pulled into place.
aquatherm energy consists of several material layers:
- The medium pipe is made of corrosion-resistant polypropylene (PP-RCT), which is highly resistant to temperature and pressure.
- The medium pipe is insulated with PUR foam, which meets the requirements of DIN EN 253.
- A PE casing pipe protects the insulation from external damage and water.
Polypropylene: flexible, light weight, and corrosion-resistant
The plastic piping system offers numerous advantages over steel pipes:
- Polypropylene pipes are significantly more flexible and pliable than rigid steel pipes, making them ideal for trenchless techniques.
- They can be installed directly underground without the need for additional protective measures.
- Unlike steel pipes, they do not require a larger casing pipe for additional stability.
- The lighter weight of the polypropylene pipes makes them easier to transport and install, even with large pipe diameters.
- Polypropylene is resistant to corrosion, which significantly extends the life of the pipes in adverse conditions.
- No additional protection against moisture is required, which would be costly for steel pipes due to the need for corrosion protection measures.
Reduced overall project costs
The pilot project in Gilleleje shows that the combination of trenchless installation technology and the aquatherm energy piping system is a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective solution for the construction of district heating networks. Challenges due to rough terrain were successfully overcome. The use of polypropylene pipes instead of steel resulted in faster installation, increased durability, and a reduction in overall project costs.
The positive results of this project can serve as a model for future district heating installations, especially in areas with difficult geographical and infrastructural conditions.
