Pipelines are the lifeblood of the energy, industrial, mining, and municipal industries, transporting essential resources across vast distances. However, they are also exposed to harsh environments and corrosive substances that can compromise their integrity over time. This is where United Pipeline Systems Tite Liner® technology makes a transformative difference. By providing a robust and long-lasting barrier against corrosion, Tite Liner® ensures that pipelines remain reliable and safe, even in the most demanding conditions.
This guide takes a closer look at Tite Liner® pipeline lining, from core benefits to real-world applications, demonstrating why it’s an increasingly preferred choice for pipeline infrastructure rehabilitation.
What is High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)?
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) was first introduced in the 1950s and quickly revolutionized the plastics industry. Chemists Karl Ziegler of Germany and Giulio Natta of Italy discovered the polymerization process that creates HDPE, earning them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963. HDPE’s unique properties—high strength-to-density ratio, smooth flow characteristics, resistance to impact, chemicals, and corrosion—made it ideal for various applications, including pipe lining systems.
By the 1970s, HDPE was being used in pipeline systems for its ability to resist corrosion, marking the beginning of its role in infrastructure protection. Over the decades, HDPE technology has advanced, leading to innovations like the Tite Liner® system, which has become a trusted solution for protecting pipelines from internal corrosion and extending their operational life.
United Pipeline Systems HDPE Tite Liner® System
United Pipeline Systems’ Tite Liner® system integrates HDPE’s unique properties into existing pipeline infrastructure through a sophisticated process. The HDPE liner pipe is designed with an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the host pipe it will protect. The pipeline will be accessed at intervals that allow for the insertion of the liner pipe. Under normal conditions, average insertion lengths are 1,500 to 3,000 feet. A winch cable is sent through a section of the host pipeline and attached to the HDPE liner pipe. United’s custom-fabricated roller reduction box is used to temporarily reduce the outside diameter of the HDPE liner pipe. The winch pulls the HDPE liner pipe through the roller reduction box, which is positioned at the insertion end of the pipeline section. The HDPE liner pipe is temporarily compressed radially as it passes through the roller reduction box, providing sufficient clearance between the host pipe and the liner pipe to allow for insertion. The liner is installed into the host pipe and remains under tension until pulling is complete, causing it to remain at a reduced diameter. When the tension is released, the liner pipe expands, creating a tight fit against the inner wall of the host pipe. This tight-fitting configuration creates a durable barrier that isolates the pipeline contents from direct contact with the pipe walls, increasing flow characteristics and effectively mitigating the risks of corrosion and abrasion.
Benefits of United Pipelines Tite Liner® HDPE Pipe Lining
Tite Liner® pipe lining offers significant advantages for pipeline infrastructure rehabilitation, including:
- Durability and Lifespan: HDPE pipe lining is engineered for durability, with an expected lifespan of 20 to 30 years, ensuring long-term reliability and significantly extending the life of existing pipeline infrastructure.
- Resistance to Corrosion, Chemicals, and Abrasion: HDPE is chemically inert, making it highly resistant to the corrosive and abrasive materials that corrode steel pipelines.
- Minimal Disruption and Faster Installation: Rehabilitating existing pipelines requires less personnel, minimizes ground disturbance, and reduces pipeline service outage times, resulting in increased cost savings over traditional dig-and-replace strategies.
- Labor, Materials, and Long-Term Maintenance: HDPE’s durability and ease of installation translate into lower labor and material costs. Additionally, it eliminates the need for anti-corrosion treatments and reduces the reliance on chemical inhibitors, resulting in substantial savings on pipeline maintenance throughout its lifespan.
- Superior Flow Dynamics: HDPE provides a smooth surface, resulting in a low friction coefficient, maximizing the efficient flow of service fluids.
- Maintaining Host Pipe Interior Diameter: HDPE liners are thin, allowing the host pipe’s interior diameter to remain largely intact, which is crucial for managing pressure constraints caused by reduced pipeline diameters.
- Environmental Benefits: HDPE pipe lining minimizes waste, reduces the carbon footprint associated with producing new steel pipelines, causes less ground disturbance, and reduces the reliance on chemical inhibitors, making it an environmentally friendly solution for pipeline rehabilitation.
- No Pressure Limitations: Unlike standalone HDPE pipes, the host pipe in lined systems determines the pressure rating, eliminating common pressure limitations and enhancing overall system performance.
HDPE pipe lining undoubtedly improves the performance and lifespan of existing pipelines and makes it a cost-effective and environmentally responsible choice.
Common Applications of HDPE Pipe Lining
HDPE pipe lining is highly versatile and can be applied in various industries. Its ability to adapt to different environments—from corrosive conditions in industrial processes to the high-pressure demands of oil and gas—has made it a preferred material in the following applications:
- Municipal Applications: Used for raw water transport, potable water systems, and forced sewer mains, ensuring safe and reliable water distribution and waste management.
- Oil and Gas Industry: Employed in water injection systems, water transportation, and crude oil pipelines to withstand harsh environments and high-pressure conditions.
- Mining Operations: Critical for transporting tailings, slurry, concentrate, and acid water, offering robust performance against abrasive and corrosive materials.
- Wet CO2 Gathering Systems: Manages the corrosive effects of carbon dioxide in gathering systems, ensuring the integrity of pipelines over time.
- Sewage and Wastewater Rehabilitation: Provides a seamless, corrosion-resistant solution for rehabilitating aging sewage and wastewater infrastructure.
- Industrial Applications: Widely used in chemical transport and other processes that require pipelines to resist aggressive chemicals and maintain structural integrity.
- Infrastructure Projects: Integral to city water systems and large facilities, offering a durable and cost-effective solution for maintaining critical infrastructure.
The widespread use of HDPE pipe lining across these sectors reflects its ability to enhance the longevity and performance of critical pipeline infrastructure.
Maintenance and Longevity of HDPE Lined Pipes
One of the standout benefits of HDPE-lined pipes is their minimal maintenance requirements. Once installed, the Tite Liner® system creates a seamless internal barrier that significantly reduces the effects of corrosion, abrasion, and chemical attack, which are common in steel pipelines. This durable protection means that maintenance costs are drastically reduced over the pipeline’s lifetime. In fact, HDPE liners are designed to last for decades, often outliving the host pipe itself, making them an ideal long-term solution for industries seeking reliable, low-maintenance pipeline infrastructure, oxidation, and material degradation. Additionally, installing proper supports to protect the pipeline’s integrity should mitigate environmental stressors like ground movement.
United Pipeline: HDPE Solutions That Last
For over 30 years, United Pipeline Systems has installed more than 30,000 miles of Tite Liner® across various industries, offering superior protection for critical infrastructure. The durability, flexibility, and environmental benefits of HDPE pipe lining make it a reliable choice for extending the lifespan of essential pipelines.
Interested in real-world applications? Visit our Success Stories to see how our solutions have made a significant impact.
Ready to make your next move? Connect with the United Pipeline team today to explore how HDPE pipelining can support your next rehabilitation project.