Polyethylene pipes are incredibly popular today. They are used for installation of various communications and differ in high operational characteristics. Various factors should be considered when laying polyethylene pipes, including: type of environment, transported, the use of compatible shut-off valves and fittings.
In pipelines, assembled from polyethylene pipes, you can use shut-off valves and fittings of the same material
Features of polyethylene pipelines
Communications from polyethylene, including low-pressure polyethylene (PND), are used in various industries and have the following characteristics:
- the main advantage of polyethylene products is resistance to corrosion. exept this, parts of this material are resistant to aggressive chemicals, however, in this case it is necessary to take care of installation of suitable shut-off and regulating fittings (spherical cranes for HDPE pipes);
- the service life of polyethylene communication can reach 50 years, and in some cases more;
pay attention! Designs from this material are simple enough in service, therefore, user costs are minimized.
- the smoothness of the inner walls does not interfere with the transportation of the working environment, which is also an indisputable advantage, since communication bandwidth is a very important parameter;
- lightness of polyethylene details promotes simple and fast installation;
exept this, communications from this material differ in low indicators of thermal conductivity, which minimizes heat loss in the system. Low thermal conductivity of the material is especially relevant for pipelines, transporting hot water.
HDPE pipes are used for laying as household, and backbone networks
To install polyethylene communication you need to know, which shut-off valves are used in such designs.
Features of ball HDPE cranes
Previously, the pipelines used rather inconvenient and cumbersome valves and valves. To date, the development of industrial technologies allows the production of shut-off valves made of modern materials, which, in addition, it differs in its principle of operation.
HDPE ball valve is a device, which is used in polyethylene communications and performs a shut-off and regulating function. Installation of such device is carried out by means of welding or by means of special flanges of HDPE.
Structural elements of the ball valve, move around its axis, regulating the flow of the working environment. Virtually all polyethylene pipes include HDPE ball valves. Consider the main advantages of ball valves:
- the design of the ball valve differs in simplicity of execution and high efficiency;
- ball models of cranes perfectly cope with the locking function, providing high sealing performance;
- the price of the ball device is lower, than standard latches;
- such devices are easy to install and maintain.
Ball valve is a simple and practical type of shut-off valve
The disadvantages of these tools include:
- installation of such devices has restrictions on diameter;
- in the course of operation the bullet in the crane can for one reason or another lose its qualities, which entails a loss of tightness.
The crane spherical for PND of pipes: varieties
There are several ways to install HDPE ball valves, which are worth paying attention to. Mounting option, usually, depends on the design features of the product. Consider these options:
- Compression connection type. Compression ball valve for HDPE pipes is the most popular option, which is used in communications with small cross-sectional indicators. Connection with the pipeline is performed using a traditional crimp fitting.
- Flange connection. Such cranes are mounted on communications with large cross-sectional indicators. The installation itself is performed using special bolts.
pay attention! The main advantage of a flange connection is that, that it is detachable.
- Cranes, mounted by welding. This type of connection has the highest tightness. Welding equipment is required to install a welded HDPE crane.
exept this, there is a division of ball valves according to the design features of the drive mechanism:
- if the cross-section of the pipeline is small, then a manual drive is used. The handle must be turned to block the flow of the working medium.
- if the cross-sectional parameters of the pipeline exceed 150 mm, ball devices with different drives can be used: electric drive, pneumatic actuator, hydraulic drive.
Manually operated valves are used in household networks and small diameter pipelines
Such devices are used in automated systems, in which the impact on the working element of the crane is carried out by means of reducers. Gearboxes can have different designs, depending on the case.
Fittings cast for HDPE pipes
In addition to ball HDPE cranes, other elements are used in polyethylene communications, relating to fittings for HDPE pipes. Fittings for HDPE pipes, usually, are selected, focusing on the diameter of the communication.
HDPE fittings are most often used in plumbing. Such communications can be of two types:
- external;
- internal.
External polyethylene pipes are mounted mostly in a closed way (underground). Internal communications are laid directly in the premises.
Components for polyethylene pipes are also called "spingots". Such fittings can have different designs and can be used for different types of HDPE pipe connections.
Let's consider the main types of connecting elements for HDPE pipes:
- HDPE bushing under the flange;
- assignment of HDPE;
- transition;
- tee.
In addition to shut-off valves, tees must be used when installing HDPE, taps, couplings and other types of fittings
HDPE removal for polyethylene pipes
HDPE for polyethylene pipes is used in those cases, when you need to change the direction of polyethylene communication. The system can be rotated at different angles, using the tap for the HDPE pipe. The most common are taps for HDPE pipes, having an angle 45 and 90 °. Branches with corners are used less often 15 or 60 °.
Useful Information! It is also worth noting, that some companies produce non-standard shaped elements on individual orders. This allows you to expand the operating area of such a cast connector.
HDPE outlet is made of low pressure polyethylene - a durable and reliable material, which is able to withstand high enough pressure. Usually, two brands of polyethylene are used for the production of these shaped parts:
- PE 80;
- PE 100.
According to their design features, these sectional elements are divided into:
- one-segment;
- two-segment;
exept this, if necessary, you can order welding under the taps of other components (flanges for HDPE pipes, bushings). This is necessary in that case, when you want to connect the HDPE outlet to the shut-off device.
HDPE tee for polyethylene pipes
Another important connecting element, which is necessary at installation of polyethylene communication, there is an HDPE tee. This shaped element is necessary for that, to connect to the main (trunk) pipe an extra branch.
A tee is a detail, which is used to branch the pipeline
Usually, Tees with the same cross-sectional dimensions are connected by means of tees. In this case, all three leads of the tee for HDPE pipes have the same diameter (the tee is equal). However, there are cases, when it is necessary to articulate pipes with different diameters and then mount a special transition tee, branches of which differ in cross-sectional index.
Consider the situation, when the use of such a fitting is necessary:
- laying of polyethylene multichannel communications (in production);
- installation of water supply in an apartment building;
- use of one water source for different purposes;
- creation of conclusion points of the working environment of communication.
Quite popular tees in the case, when it is necessary to perform branches from the central highway. HDPE tee is an effective fitting, which is easy to install and easy to maintain.
Tee cross-sectional rates vary from 30 to 1200 mm, which allows to use them widely for installation of polyethylene communications in various spheres of human life.
Sleeve for HDPE pipes
The flange bushing is a type of cast fitting and is used, as a transition element in the pipe-fitting combination. The sleeve is located, usually, at the end of the plastic pipe.
If it is necessary to use a flange connection for HDPE pipes, then use a special sleeve
The flange sleeve is a very specific part and plays the role of a flange between the clamping flange element and the flange under the HDPE pipe, located on a steel pipe or shut-off valve. So, we can say, that with the help of a flange sleeve is the transition from one material to another.
To date, there are two main types of bushings:
- short;
- extended.
Because of that, that the cost of a ball valve for closed installation (underground) much higher, than the price of standard latches made of cast iron and steel, HDPE bushings have become very popular when laying various communications. Such bushings are especially popular when laying large diameter pipelines.
Useful Information! The sleeve for a polyethylene pipe allows to reduce considerably cost of installation of system as a whole.
Shut-off and control valves, as well as cast fittings for polyethylene pipes can greatly simplify the installation of pipelines, and also effectively cope with the tasks set before them. Such devices require virtually no maintenance and can last for many years under normal operating conditions.