Next Decades – Choose the right (thermoplastic composite pipe) TCP/RTP machinery equipment
Given the global reliance on oil and gas and corresponding market projections, the thermoplastic composite pipe industry is expected to reach a valuation of approximately $3.6 billion by 2025, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the projection period. These pipes, particularly favored for oil and gas conveyance, are pivotal in the onshore and offshore, including deepwater, sectors of the oil and gas industry, as well as in water and wastewater management.
The Continuous Fiberglass Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (CFTCP/RTP) represents an advanced category within this domain. When compared to PE pipes, which fall short in complex oilfield transportation due to lesser strength, or steel pipes that, despite their robustness, are prone to oxidation and corrosion, CFTCP/RTP stands out. It offers superior corrosion resistance, pressure endurance, longevity, and reduced maintenance costs, marking a significant stride in the evolution of pipelines for oil and gas transportation.
CFTCP/RTP has three kinds of structure, the inner PE layer, the middle layer which is bonded fiberglass tape-reinforced layer, and the outermost PE layer. And the most important is the fiberglass tape-reinforced layer. Glass fiber, as an inorganic material, it costs about half as much as polyethylene (PE). As a non-metallic fiberglass tape component makes it an ideal solution for transporting corrosive liquids under the harshest environmental conditions. As a result, fiberglass tape reinforcement not only increases the strength of the composite pipe, but also reduces the cost of the composite pipe.
TCP/RTP machinery equipment
Fiberglass tapes are usually assembled into a middle layer of fiberglass tape reinforcement layer by wrapping them onto the inner pipe by one wrapping machine. This is a very challenging process, so it is very important to choose the suitable wrapping method and wrapping machine. Nowadays, there are two main types of wrapping machines in the market, the first one is the planetary wrapping machine, and the second one is the coaxial wrapping machine that Banline chooses to use.
The planetary wrapping machine consists of multiple wrapping pads, and there is a potential limitation of the fiberglass tape width. So smaller widths of fiberglass tapes are usually used which is 50, 60 mm. In addition, planetary wrapping machines inevitably have problems with wrapping gaps during the wrapping process, which can also cause some troubles in the production process if the gaps are uneven or too large and need to be adjusted. The coaxial wrapping machine that Banline chooses to use perfectly solves these problems.
Firstly, the fiberglass tape can be adjusted in width and thickness up to 360mm, which can save more time and cost of the wrapping process. Secondly, the coaxial wrapping machine can be adjusted to the best wrapping angle at the very beginning of the program design, so there is almost no wrapping gap. Even if there is a gap, it is very convenient to adjust the wrapping angle during the production in time. In addition, the coaxial winder does not require downtime to change the fiberglass tape, which greatly saves the cost and time of downtime.
After the fiberglass tape is wrapped, the heating process of the TCP is also very important. The pipe may be deformed if the temperature is too high or too low. The unique and patented technology of “fast cooling and fast heating” solves this problem and achieves the best quality of fiberglass tape wrapping performance.
The leading and unique technological advantages of Banline also have certain competitiveness and industry leadership in the market. Banline has long-term and stable cooperation with the premium customer, China Lesso, which is the largest pipe manufacturer in China. Banline and China Lesso group are working together to develop advanced TCPs and have also achieved a breakthrough in hydrogen energy transportation. This remarkable development is reported by CCTV which is China's foremost national television broadcaster. It is known for its comprehensive coverage of important national and international events. The test signifies a major milestone in hydrogen energy transportation, demonstrating China's commitment to advancing its energy infrastructure and embracing cleaner energy sources.
