Efficient supply systems
24/01/2012
Uponor Ecoflex provides greater flexibility
Underground pipe systems supplying heating, cooling, and drinking water are expected to operate for decades. Pre-insulated Ecoflex pipe systems from Uponor are well suited for this. The Thermo, Aqua, Quattro, and Supra systems are especially robust and flexible. Moreover, due to continuous product development, Uponor further improved the thermal insulation of the Ecoflex pipes by up to 12 %. This makes them especially suitable for the transport of heating, cooling, or drinking water.
The secret of these Uponor innovations is a sturdy but flexible jacket pipe combined with a service pipe made of cross-linked polyethylene (PE-Xa) surrounded by multiple layers of polyethylene foam insulation. Thanks to their special geometry, the jacket pipes made of im-pact-proof polyethylene (PE-HD) have the necessary ring stiffness, but can still be given small bending radii. Thus they can be quickly laid around corners and obstacles. The PE-Xa service pipe is especially robust, temperature- and corrosion-proof. It is also resistant to incrustations, stress cracks, and point loads. The PE-Xa material can even withstand aggressive media, which makes the pipes durable and in turn, very economical. The insulation material is not only very effective, it is also highly resistant to moisture.
The pipe can be laid in lengths of up to 200 metres without intermediate joints. Its self-compensating structure makes expansion compensators unnecessary. Ecoflex pipes are of lightweight, which makes them especially easy to handle. Uponor offers a full range of accessories for its pipe systems, allowing for almost any kind of use. Special tools and laborious welding are unnecessary.
The Uponor Ecoflex Thermo pipe system is ideal for transporting heating water. It has excellent thermal in-sulation and transports heating media of up to 95 °C at 6 bar. The pipe has a lifetime of at least 30 years, and is especially well suited for local heat supply networks, where it can operate economically over long periods. There are three variants, each suited to a different building connection. Ecoflex Thermo is best for supplying heating water to structures like greenhouses. For single building connections Uponor Ecoflex Thermo Single is ideal. Lastly, Uponor Ecoflex Thermo Twin combines the supply and return of heating water.
Uponor Ecoflex Aqua is designed for transporting hot tap water at temperatures of up to 95 °C at 10 bar. Uponor Ecoflex Aqua Single supplies hot water through one service pipe, whereas Uponor Ecoflex Aqua Twin permits circulation of hot tap water by means of an additional integrated circulation pipe.
Uponor Ecoflex Quattro is designed for supplying heating water and circulating hot tap water. The system is comprised of four PE-Xa service pipes. It can be effi-ciently connected to single buildings as well as building complexes.
The Uponor Ecoflex Supra pipe system is perfect for transporting cooling and cold drinking water of up to 20 °C at 16 bar. With an optional self-regulating trace heating cable, the system can transport water with low outdoor temperatures without the risk of freezing. This system is recommended for swimming pools, hotels, and industrial facilities.
The pre-insulated Ecoflex pipes are especially durable, flexible, and have an excellent thermal insulation. The pipes can be quickly installed without special tools.