• Fiberglass reinforced pipe system chosen in preference to steel
DAMMAM, June 4, 2007 -- In a breakthrough contract award, the Amiantit Group company, Amitech Brazil, has succeeded in getting its Flowtite glass reinforced polyester (GRP) pipes selected in preference to the usual choice of steel. The favorable decision was made by Rischbieter (Gaspar, SC) of the Brazilian state of Santa Caterina, a company which specializes in civil construction projects such as the treatment of industrial and domestic effluents and small hydroelectric plants.
Under the terms of the contract, Amitech Brazil will be responsible for supplying GRP pipes for small hydroelectric plants at Contestado and Coronel Araujo, both located in the state of Santa Caterina. The pipes will serve as penstocks -- the name given to pipelines which transport water from reservoirs to the machine house, generating electrical power.
Evaluating the merits of GRP pipes as opposed to steel, Rischbieter's engineer Anderson Gueths arrived at the conclusion that their high strength and low roughness coefficients translate into less load loss, while expansion joints are not needed. His evaluation also included a cost comparison which showed that GRP pipes are around 35 percent lower than steel, due mainly to savings on transportation and ease of installation.
Like other Amitech companies around the world, Amitech Brazil manufactures GRP pipes using Flowtite technology licensed from the Saudi Arabian Amiantit Company, which is the exclusive owner of the world rights for the Flowtite manufacturing process.
Amiantit Flowtite GRP pipe systems are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, easy to install, virtually maintenance free and environment friendly.
The Saudi Arabian Amiantit Company was established in 1968 at Dammam as a limited liability company and was converted into a joint stock company in 1994. The prime activity of the company is to initiate and manage new industrial projects, and market its technologies and products. The company also monitors and controls the business of all the Amiantit Group subsidiaries through its corporate management office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
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