LONG-TERM DURABILITY OF NEW POLYMER COMPOSITE VALVES FOR DRINKING WATER NETWORKS
Plastic Pipes Conference Association # 2021 Amsterdam
Jennifer Ravereau, Jose Teixeira Pinto, Malena Bernabeu, Jose Alacid, Jean-Philippe Le Goff, Frederic Mohier, Benjamin Rabaud
Drinking water network fittings such as valves are made of brass materials known to be robust over long periods. Due to the gradual inflation metallic raw material costs, composite plastic valves have grown in market share. Uncertainties remain, however, on their long-term reliability. The aim of this work is to select the best valve design/material couple using a three-step evaluation: (i) a valve design development corresponding to standard and operational specifications , (ii) a selection of the most relevant materials and (iii) a validation of the long-term durability through accelerated ageing tests which reproduce the disinfectant and pressure exposure (HOCl, ClO 2 , 6 bar at 40°C) of real operational conditions. The qualification of valves over the 18-month ageing period is based on key performance indicators including water leak appearance under pressure, valve mass, internal diameter and internal surface analysis through microscopic observations and infrared spectroscopy. These analyses are complemented with the impact on the water quality prior to and after ageing. Results of the investigations show that a smart valve design combined with the right polymer material enabled replacing brass valves by guaranteeing a long-term durability. The accelerated ageing tests
source article: