DPI Plastics
DPI Plastics offers a full product range of PVC pipes up to 630mm, and fittings are available for these sizes.
PP vs PVC for pipes and fittings
for sewer, drainage applications
While PVC sewer fittings are all rated 400KPa (SN 8), both
SANS 8773 and SANS 21138 allow lower stiffness ratings
for fittings. A lower stiffness rating makes for a thinner wall
thickness and, therefore, a cheaper product. Low-stiffness
pipes and fittings are intended for use in shallow drains,
whereas SN 8 (400kPa) pipes and fittings can be used in all
drains and deep sewers.
“The South African market is not well educated to look
for, and know, the difference. Hence, SN 2 (100kPa) and
SN 4 (200kPa) PP sewer fittings are sometimes installed in
main sewer lines — an application they were not designed
or intended for. This may lead to premature failure of sewer
lines,” DPI Plastics technical and product manager Renier
Snyman warns. “PP is a new entrant with a minimal track
record in the sewerage and drainage market compared to
PVC, both locally and abroad,” Snyman points out. His call
for increased awareness of PP versus PVC comes in light of
PP fittings for sewer and drainage applications slowly being
introduced into the local market.
DPI Plastics offers a full product range of PVC pipes up to
630mm, and fittings are available for these sizes. However, only
110mm PP sewer fittings are available in South Africa. “This
means that a full system and size range of pipes and fittings are
not available locally in PP material,” Snyman cautions.
Smart and hygienic pumping
KSB Pumps and Valves has introduced smart pump
solutions for hygienic applications that give users vital
pump information at their fingertips.
KSB’s PumpMeter is compatible with its Vitachrom
and Vitacast pumps and provides all the necessary
information about the condition of the pump on its
easy to read data display. The manufacturer has also
optimised PumpMeter so that it can be combined with
pumps used in sterile processes, for example in life
sciences applications. Installation of the system also
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Water Sewage & Effluent November/December 2016
meets the requirements of hygienically demanding
processes. All the sensors are mounted as flush with
the pipes as possible and are sealed with O-rings. This
eliminates dead volumes and results in easier cleaning.
“PumpMeter complies with all standard food
industry regulations applicable for Vitachrom and
Vitacast. It offers total transparency that extends the
service life of pumps and helps users identify efficiency
potential,” says Hendrik Enslin, KSB Pump and Valves
application manager.