Test run for the RELINE Alphaliner PN in SpainRehabilitation of a saltwater pressure pipeline
- Reline
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
In the Asturian industrial plants, nothing works without a reliable supply of cooling water from the sea. This made sustainable rehabilitation all the more urgent. A large-dimensioned saltwater pressure pipeline, a tight deadline and adverse circumstances created challenging conditions for the international installation team that installed an Alphaliner PN from RELINE.
The existing asbestos cement piping system showed clear signs of wear after decades of use and no longer met current structural requirements. There was also a risk that further damage could cause harmful asbestos fibers to enter parts of the plant or the environment. Only after decommissioning was it possible to reliably assess the actual condition of the pressure pipeline.
This revealed an additional challenge: marine growth had formed inside the pipeline over the years. sharp-edged mussels and other debris protruded several centimeters into the cross-section and endangered the exterior protection of the liner. At the same time, the asbestos material significantly restricted the choice of suitable cleaning methods. Aggressive high-pressure methods were ruled out for safety reasons. After careful consideration, the project participants therefore opted for a mechanical process in order to prepare the installation situation in a controlled and reliable manner.
Technical preparation as a key phase
Once the preparatory measures had been completed, the actual rehabilitation was carried out in close coordination between RELINE's application and service technicians and the installation partner AST Grupo. A 165-meter-long section of the saltwater pressure pipeline with a five-bar operating pressure was rehabilitated. The Alphaliner PN was drawn in, calibrated step by step using compressed air, and finally cured. Particular attention was paid to the careful finishing and sealing of the liner ends to ensure a permanently resilient transition into the existing pipeline. The sealing systems used were matched to the requirements of the pressure pipeline and the medium.
"The Alphaliner PN is specially designed for industrial applications," explains Firmino Barbosa, Head of Application Technology and Global Academy at RELINE. "It is ideal for use in salty conditions and offers an additional advantage thanks to its smooth inner film: infestation by mussels or other fouling is significantly more difficult."
Basis for further rehabilitation sections
Once all the work had been completed, the pipeline was successfully pressure-tested and put back into operation on schedule. Plant operation was resumed as planned. With a nominal width of DN 1200, this is the largest pressure liner (CIPP) installation of its kind to have been completed in Europe to date.
The successful course of the project not only confirmed the technical performance of the Alphaliner PN, but also its high practical suitability in the industrial plant environment. The operator was very satisfied with the result and is already planning to rehabilitate further sections of the cooling water pressure pipe using the same procedure during future breaks in operation.
Press contact
RelineEurope GmbH
Katrin Nitsche
Head of Marketing
Tel: +49 6349 93934-245
About RELINE
Founded in 2009, RelineEurope GmbH manufactures GFRP liners and the corresponding UV technology for on-site curing at its headquarters in Rohrbach, Rhineland-Palatinate. RELINE is the world’s only manufacturer offering both GFRP liners and the associated equipment from a single source. Another unique feature is the in-house production of glass fiber mats.
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