Development and installation of metal-free Polyethylene (PE) piping solution
Client Requirement
EDF Torness Reactor 1 required a reliable replacement for its Reactor Sea Water (RSW) pump pipework and Minus 9 level distribution pipework. The existing glass flake-lined carbon steel pipework was subject to recurring issues due to the aggressive nature of seawater.
The client sought a durable, long-lasting, and cost-effective solution to ensure safe and reliable transportation of cooling water.
Our Solution
We, together with our partners, developed and installed a metal-free polyethylene (PE) piping solution to replace the problematic steel pipework. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipework was used for the RSW pump pipework and Minus 9 level distribution pipework across quadrants A, B, C, and D.
The design process utilised our in-house 3D design software, pipework stress analysis software, and finite element analysis tools to ensure a robust and precise system.
Comprehensive project management ensured seamless delivery from initial design to final installation. The solution also included structural engineering design, mechanical engineering design, stress analysis, and seismic qualification of the entire system.
HDPE pipework was fabricated to exacting standards and installed to meet the operational and safety requirements of Torness Reactor 1. This innovative approach provided a sustainable and effective alternative to the existing system, minimising future maintenance and replacement needs.
Our solution delivered a significant improvement in the reliability and longevity of the cooling water pipework, supporting the continued safe operation of EDF Torness Reactor 1.
