Durapipe UK’s specialist fuel conveyance pipework system, PLX, has been utilised on the $1.1-billion modernisation programme currently under way at Bahrain International Airport as part of its new back-up power system.

 The mega project includes the construction of a new passenger terminal, in addition to the expansion and refurbishment of the existing terminal. When completed the new iconic terminal will include a 4,600-sq-m departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points.

 As part of the expansion, a new central utilities complex (CUC), which will house the airport’s emergency power system, has been constructed to feed power and water to the new terminal.

 A new back-up power solution was required to be installed within the CUC, to ensure that airport operations continue to run as normal in the event of a mains power failure.

“Two new standby generators were installed to cater for the back-up power requirements and specialist fuel equipment distributor, Rumco Group, was tasked with supplying a reliable pipework system to transfer fuel from the bulk storage tanks to the generator day tanks,” says a spokesman for Durapipe UK.

 As a previous user of Durapipe PLX, Rumco Group turned to the specialist fuel conveyance system for this project.

Four new underground bulk fuel storage tanks, each with a capacity of 70,000 litres, will hold the diesel for the generators, with Durapipe PLX pipework being used to feed the generator day tanks.

 Durapipe PLX secondary contained close-fit pipe coils in dimensions of 63 mm to 75 mm were installed to transfer diesel from the bulk underground storage tanks, before connecting onto 110-mm PLX fill pipe to fill the above-ground generator day tanks. PLX vent line pipe in 90 mm was also installed for Stage Two vapour recovery.

Commenting on the fuel transfer installation, Ramdas Chirayil, general manager at Rumco Group, says: “The contractors were considering several pipework options for this project, but we were able to demonstrate the superior benefits of Durapipe PLX. With these generators only being used in an emergency, it is vital that the pipework installed could reliably and safely transfer fuel to the generator day tanks when called upon and Durapipe PLX has proven performance in many similar applications across the world.”

PLX is manufactured as a multilayer pipe utilising the superior mechanical characteristics of polyethylene as a base material, which enables the pipe to be permanently welded using electrofusion technology.

PLX comprises a protective liner, which increases permeation resistance against many types of fuel blends, ensuring there is no transfer of fuel through the pipe wall into the environment, the spokesman points out.

A leading manufacturer of plastic pipework solutions, Durapipe UK has seen its systems successfully installed for building services and industrial applications in projects worldwide for 60 years.

Durapipe UK is a member of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Plastic Pipes Group (PPG), the leading trade association representing manufacturers and material suppliers of plastic piping systems in the UK.

It is also a member of the Petroleum Equipment Installers and Maintenance Federation (PEIMF), Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) and Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI).