Gulf Construction Online - SPPI advanced technology protects steel

Corrosion Technology

SPPI facility ... state of the art.

SPPI advanced technology protects steel

01 June 2014

Saudi Preinsulated Pipes Industries (SPPI), a reputed name in the manufacture of pre-insulated piping systems, says it offers advanced technology coating systems such as fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) as well as 3LPE (three-layer polyethylene) insulation to protect steel pipes from corrosion.

“Since steel pipelines are mainly used for the transport of various fluids over long distances, they must be protected against corrosion with effective anti-corrosion processes such as FBE and 3LPE,” says a spokesman for the Saudi-based company.

Located in the Second Industrial City in Riyadh, SPPI is involved in the production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, steel fabrication, anticorrosion (FBE and 3LPE) pipes and HDPE pipe extrusion.

Elaborating on the anticorrosion processes, he says the FBE process consists of abrasively cleaning the outside surface of steel pipe and, prior to the powder application, heating the cleaned pipe by induction to more than 200 deg C. The epoxy powder is then sprayed onto the heated surfaces using electrostatic spray guns, and the final curing is done by passing the pipe through a quench tunnel, where water is sprayed on the coated pipe.

The 3LPE process begins with abrasively cleaning the outside surface of steel pipe and heating by induction to more than 200 deg C, prior to powder application. The epoxy powder is then sprayed on the heated surfaces using electrostatic spray guns, followed immediately by the application of the adhesive and the polyethylene by a side extruder. The final curing is done by passing the pipe through a quench tunnel, where water is sprayed on the coated pipe.

SPPI is now in the process of setting up automated welding machinery for the accessories used in the pre-insulated piping systems.

SPPI was established in 1981 and started production in 1983. It has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to manufacture pre-insulated piping systems utilising both spray and injection methods.

“The plant utilises a range of advanced and sophisticated equipment. The fully-automated pre-insulated pipes plant has an output of more than 200 sq m per hour and produces a maximum pipe size of 60 inches,” says the spokesman.

The HDPE extrusion plant has an output of more than 1,500 kg per hour and produces a maximum pipe size of 1,200 mm.

SPPI provides quality products and services to meet the needs and expectations of its customers, says the spokesman.

“Our technical services department utilises computer-aided design software and electronic spreadsheets to generate all the necessary fabrication/shop drawings and technical data. Customers are also provided on-site technical assistance and installation supervision,” he adds.

In addition, SPPI has the in-house capability to perform stress analysis on microcomputer systems using Caesar II software. The analysis will determine the stresses and movement in the piping system, the spokesman explains.

A joint venture company of Zamil Industrial, SPPI is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company through UKAS of the UK, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (Saso).