Pipe-coupling specialist Victaulic is working with Spain’s MTS Valves in a promotion of Victaulic’s new StrengThin™ Piping System, which was announced at the International Desalination Association’s World Congress in Perth, Australia, in early September 2011.
MTS was also at the event displaying its super-duplex high-pressure plug valves.
The StrengThin System features a proprietary groove profile for unmatched high-pressure performance on thin-wall duplex and super duplex stainless steel pipe. It enables direct pipe-end forming of the new groove profile on Schedule 10S and Schedule 20 duplex and super duplex stainless steel pipe up to 16 in (400 mm) in diameter, and delivers superior performance over previously required thicker wall Schedule 40S cut-grooved pipe.
Victualic says that the StrengThin system can significantly cut piping installation time for an entire high-pressure piping system, lower costs, improve safety and reduce project risk during the construction of desalination facilities. It uses the MTS valves, which are provided with pipe sporting identical grooved ends to allow fast, easy field installation, eliminating the need for valves to be sent to a fabrication shop to be welded.
The StrengThin groove is formed using proprietary spin-forming technology, which creates a unique groove profile for superior joint strength. The groove and sealing surfaces are “lifted” above the interior diameter of the pipe.
The technology helps reduce plant construction costs by allowing thinner-wall pipe to be used on high-pressure systems. It also saves time by accelerating pipe fabrication and installation, thereby reducing the piping construction schedule and allowing more time for testing, commissioning and plant turnover.
The StrengThin system includes a full range of couplings, fittings, valves and a pipe preparation tool. The couplings are available as rigid or flexible, and all StrengThin couplings feature the Victaulic proprietary anti-biofouling Grade “EW” gasket. The Grade “EW” gasket is designed using a Victaulic-engineered compound that does not contribute to microbiological growth.
The system is offered in 2-16 in (50-400 mm) sizes and is rated up to 1,200 psi (8,200 kPa) with a minimum safety factor of three to one. This story was updated on 20 September 2011