Durapipe UK lifts lid on new Bahrain International Airport pipework system
Rumco Group turns to Durapipe UK’s specialist fuel conveyance system for Central Utilities Complex
A major new $1.1 billion modernisation programme at Bahrain International Airport has utilised a specialist fuel conveyance pipework system, PLX, as part of its new back-up power system, Durapipe UK tells meconstructionnews.com.
According to Durapipe UK, the construction of BIA’s new passenger terminal, in addition to the expansion and refurbishment on the existing terminal, required a new Central Utilities Complex to house the airport’s emergency power system which 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 Central Utilities Complex, said Durapipe UK, to ensure that airport operations can 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 distributors, Rumco Group, was tasked with supplying a reliable pipework system to transfer fuel from the bulk storage tanks to the generator day tanks.
As previous users 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 63mm#75mm were installed to transfer diesel from the bulk storage tanks underground, before connecting onto 110mm PLX fill pipe to fill the above ground generator day tanks. PLX vent line pipe in 90mm was also installed for Stage 2 vapour recovery. 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.
Commenting on the fuel transfer installation, Ramdas Chirayil, general manager at Rumco Group, said: “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.”
Boasting a built-up area of 207,000sqm, when completed the new iconic terminal will include a 4,600sqm departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points.
