Definitions

A

B

Length

Packaging type containing straight pipe lengths, usually 6 or 12 metres long (but can be longer or shorter, depending on what the customer wants)

C

Co-extrusion

Extrusion technique allowing multi-layer structures to be produced by forcing the material through a die with multiple extruders.

Packaging

Method of making polyethylene pipe available in coils, lengths and drums.

Coil

Type of packaging in which pipes up to a diameter of 110 are coiled

Geothermal heat capture

Geothermal probes are designed to recover heat from the ground via a coolant. Once recovered, the energy is converted by a heat pump to heat or cool homes and business premises.

D

Unloading

Network implementation PE pipe delivery stage. Precautions and handling procedures to be followed on site to maintain product quality. The products are unloaded from the lorry and left where they stand.

Density

LD (Low Density), MD (Medium Density), HD (High Density)

Decalibration

Correction factor of less than 1 applied to the PN of a network when the actual operating conditions are at variance with the standard conditions (temperature > 20°C, fluid type, mechanical conditions).

Dilation

Dilation is the increase in volume of a body under the influence of a variation in temperature which, in this case, concerns PE pipes. It has an influence on the increase in diameter and length that must be allowed for when designing and network of pipes to be laid.

Carbon black dispersion

The carbon black dispersion test shows the degree of homogeneity of the raw material (polyethylene) and its additive (carbon black).

DN

Diameter Nominal. The outer diameter of PE (Polyethylene) pipes. Can only be measure accurately with a circumference meter. Other measuring tools that only provide partial measurements must not be used.

DP

Design Pressure, the maximum operating pressure of the network allowing for future expansion but not the water hammer effect.

E

Ethylene

CH2 @ CH2 hydrocarbon, prototype alkene, divalent radical, -CH2-CH2-

Extrusion

Shaping procedure for plastics that consists of pushing the fluidised material through a die.

F

Coolant

The coolant used to transfer the heat is water. Glycolated water (water+antifreeze) is used as the coolant in buried geothermal networks (geothermal heat capture), underfloor heating, radiators, etc.

M

MDP

The Maximum Design Pressure of a network is set by the specifier and should allow for the water hammer effect and future expansion.

Quality Mark

Products bearing the French NF 114 Quality Mark are certified compliant with the relevant regulations

MPa

Mega Pascal. Unit of measurement of pressure. 1 MPa = 1 M Pascals = 10 bar

MRS

Minimum Required Stress, expressed in MPa (Mega pascals). The MRS depends on the type of resin used (PE80, PE100, etc.).

MOP

Maximum Operating Pressure: The effective maximum pressure at 20°C of a fluid in a piping system that is permitted for continuous use over a period of 50 years, expressed in bar.

O

OIT

Short for Oxidation Induction Time. OIT tests simulate accelerated carbon black degradation over time (e.g. permanent exposure to UVA/ UVB)

Organoleptic nature

The PE piping facility for preserving the taste and appearance of the liquids being conveyed (colour, taste and smell)

Ovalisation

The difference between the largest and smallest diameter measurements (circularity fault)

P

PFA

Maximum hydrostatic pressure a component can withstand in service on an intermittent basis.

Load loss

Pressure drop between two points on a network through which a fluid flows, caused by friction encountered by the fluid when flowing, the lengthwise profile of the network and the changes of direction.

MPP

The Maximum Permissible Pressure of a pipework element likely to be reached in an installation under service conditions: PN x Decalibration Coefficient.

Polyethylene (PE)

Generic name given to all ethylene polymers with the general formula (CH2CH2)n. See piping and definitions in “Technical Elements”.

PN

PN (Pressure Nominal): network operating pressure, expressed in bar.

R

Bend radius

The bend radius must not be exceeded when changing laying direction as it limits load losses and prevents water hammer effects. The minimum SDR-related pipe bend radius must be observed.

REACH

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, a European Parliament and European Union Council regulation that was adopted on 18 December 2006 (and came into force on 1 June 2007). It brought the European legislation on chemical substances up to date and introduced a single, integrated, Europe-wide registration, evaluation and authorization system for chemical substances. Its purpose is to provide better protection for human heath and the environment whilst maintaining competitiveness and strengthening the innovative spirit of the European chemical industry. The PE polymer declarations are done by the resin manufacturers, not the extrusion companies.

S

SDR

Standard Dimension Ratio: the nominal DN divided by the thickness, e. (SDR = DN/e).

T

TP

Test Pressure, hydrostatic network test pressure. When applied to a conduit, it tests for leaks and integrity.

Drum

Drum used for winding, carrying and installing cables, conductors, piping, etc.

U

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