VESTAMID® NRG Paves The Way For More Affordable Natural Gas Distribution

Thanks to its easier installation, Evonik’s Polyamide 12 (PA12) VESTAMID^® NRG is being used by utility companies to install pipes at half the time and price of a steel system revolutionizing the gas distribution industry.

The high performance thermoplastic polyamide is a more cost-effective alternative to steel pipes and was recently used to tap five additional service lines into a natural gas main in Ulm, Montana. The innovative product allowed Energy West, a Montana-based gas utility and energy supplier, to complete a piping system providing natural gas to additional homeowners previously using the more expensive energy source, propane. The new piping system operates at 150 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) and can facilitate up to 250 psig.

“Following the successful installation and exceptional results of a three-mile long PA12 VESTAMID NRG pipeline in August, 2009, we wanted to use this product to bring natural gas to more homeowners where it was previously difficult to do so with the high-cost of steel pipelines,” said Kevin Degenstein, president of Energy West. “The light weight material provided us with significant savings on labor because installation was completed in less time and at a lower cost than a steel pipe system would require. Not only is this a cost-effective alternative for our customers but for us as well.”

Energy West crews were able to extend the service lines and cut away samples from the previously installed VESTAMID NRG pipeline by using conventional squeeze-off tools to facilitate the removal.

Tony Pietrykowski, construction supervisor at Energy West, said annual energy costs for homeowners will be reduced by around 40% when switching to natural gas from propane. “PA12 made bringing natural gas to these homeowners possible,” said Pietrykowski. “Working with this new high-pressure plastic material is very easy and safe. We didn’t need any special equipment and were able to use our current procedures to complete the project. Following the installation, we pressure tested the line at 400 psig.”

Energy West used PA12 electrofusion tapping tees made by Nupi Americas, Inc., PA12 service tubing and pipe materials for the main from Dura-Line Holdings, Inc., PA12 excess flow valves and anodeless risers made by R.W. Lyall & Company, Inc. to complete the project.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america. Please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvonikNorthAmerica link. Follow us on Twitter @EvonikN_America.