“Casaflex” is today the generalized name for pipeline systems, as well as other components necessary for trenchless trenching of heat and hot water supply lines with a transportable industrial temperature of 150 degrees and a pressure of 25 atmospheres. In practice, the Casaflex pipe can withstand a short-term increase in temperature an order of magnitude higher.
Casaflex: components
The Casaflex system consists of the following elements:
- corrugated pressure pipe, steel;
- high-quality thermal insulation layer consisting of safe polyurethane foam;
- remote control system consisting of a signal cable (UEC);
- polyethylene waterproofing shell.
Many laying options allow the application of Casaflex flexibility (pipes). Description of already laid pipelines makes it possible to install new systems without violating the integrity of the old ones and choosing the most optimal routes. If there is an obstacle in the conditions of a shortage of urban development, the Casaflex pipe easily bypasses it. There is no need to use start compensators, sliding supports. The cost and time frame of work during the installation of the trunk are reduced several times, since the need for combining a flexible pipe and steel in PPU insulation has disappeared.
Description of the Casaflex pipe
- Technical characteristics allow the use in the system of a carrier with a pressure of 25 atmospheres and a temperature of 150 degrees.
- Foamed polyisocyanurad foam with high thermal protection is present in the insulation material.
- The surface corrugated layer is covered with an LDPE polyethylene sheath with identification marking strips.
- Inside the heat-protective layer there are integrated wires connected to the UEC system.
Characteristics and variety of pipes
The Casaflex pipe is supplied in bays from 120 to 250 m long, with a meter weight of 2.46 to 7.40 kg and a bend radius of 1 to 2 meters. Depending on the diameter of the pressure pipe, Casaflex is divided into types:
- 55/110 - with a pipe diameter of 55x0.5 / 48 mm;
- 55/125 Plus - with a pipe diameter of 55x0.5 / 48;
- 66/125 - with a pipe diameter of 66 × 0.5 / 60;
- 66/140 Plus - with a pipe diameter of 66 × 0.5 / 60;
- 86/140 - with a pipe diameter of 86 × 0.6 / 75;
- 86/160 Plus - with a pipe diameter of 86 × 0.6 / 75;
- 109/160 - with a pipe diameter of 109 × 0.8 / 98;
- 143/200 - with a pipe diameter of 143 × 0.9 / 127.
Trunk installation
According to experts, repair and maintenance costs are reduced by 3 times in the case of using the “Casaflex” pipe. Installation of the system allows to reduce the volume of land work by 5 times and its cost by 8. Five-fold savings in the costs of landscaping. The numbers justify the popularity of these systems in Russia and the CIS countries.
The installation speed compared to standard metal pipes allows to reduce the installation time of the system by 5-8 times. Pipes are attached to each other through fittings.
Phased installation of the Casaflex system
- Diametrically cut the insulating layer 20 cm from the end of the tube without damaging the internal signal cable.
- Cut the insulating layer with a knife and remove it from polyethylene.
- Bend the wires and remove the layer of polyurethane foam, clean the surface.
- Cut the pipe depending on its diameter, file the edges of the pipe with a file.
- Screw the flange to the end of the insulation.
- Without using the included ring, put on the main part of the fitting until it stops.
- Scrolling the flange, set the gap between it and the fitting to half a millimeter.
- Remove fitting, put on ring.
- Put back the fitting, pull on the retaining bolts.
- Put heat-shrink tubing on the wires of the signal cable, treat with a soldering iron.
- Wrap the fitting with mastic tape.
- Put on the coupling, process with a soldering iron.
Maximum simplicity allows you to assemble the most complex systems with a laying speed of up to 600 meters daily by a team of 4 people. Consumers are disconnected for no more than 3 hours when installing a “Casaflex” pipe. There is no need to turn off power consumption. Pipe installation can be carried out in any weather conditions, even in winter.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Casaflex pipe
Benefits:
- Minimum heat loss during transportation of the coolant.
- The Casaflex pipe is not subject to wear, corrosion, and is durable.
- No waterproofing is required, as a result - a reduction in the cost of the trunk system.
- The shape of the pipe is in the form of a corrugation, which simplifies the laying of the system, overcoming obstacles, there is no need for expansion joints and additional supports.
- Possibility of channelless installation.
With all its advantages, the Casaflex pipe has the following disadvantages:
- high sensitivity to ultraviolet and low fire resistance;
- high cost of the Casaflex pipe;
- pipe installation requires a hydraulic press, a burner and other additional equipment;
- to prevent rupture of the shell, it is necessary to install the system on a sand cushion;
- polyethylene outer film is easily damaged;
- during long-term storage of pipes, it is necessary to create special conditions for protection from sunlight;
- Installation of the system must be carried out by skilled workers.
With these shortcomings, Casaflex pipes are successfully used in world projects of increased complexity. The laying of heating mains using these systems was implemented at railway stations, in the subway, in reservoirs and in the mountains. Everywhere where the use of a rigid pipeline is impossible and impractical.
Today, global companies use this high-tech product, paving engineering paths not only efficiently and quickly, but also saving energy resources within the whole state.