[Digestion] plastic pipework

[Anand Karve]

Dear Chandler,
we use PVC pipes and fittings that are also used by plumbers and which are
readily available in all hardware shops. I don't think that the white
deposit that you mention is silica. It could be calcium carbonate. Water
generally has calcium bicarbonate dissolved it. By combining with one more
molecule of carbon dioxide, it forms calcium carbonate, which is insoluble
in water and which therefore precipitates out. The pipes can be
periodically cleaned of this substance by passing a mild solution of
hydrochloric acid through the pipes.
Yours
A.D.Karve
On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 1:19 AM, Chandler <chandlerhatton at simgas.org> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
>
> I am working to implement biogas in East Africa, and I’m curious about
> whether there is a preferred plastic polymer for use in plastic biogas
> pipework. Most affordable, readily available plastic pipes and fittings
> are made from PVC (polyvinylchloride), PE (polyethylene), or PP
> (polypropylene).
>
>    - Is one of these materials better than the other two for use in gas
>    lines?  And is there a material that should be avoided for use in
>    biogas pipework (i.e. due to chemical corrosion, UV damage, or creep?)
>
>    - In particular, I am concerned about the accumulation of white
>    (silica?) deposits in biogas pipework. Does the use of plastic piping
>    reduce the buildup of this white substance? And very specifically, does
>    this white substance accumulate on PP fittings?
>
> Any thoughts on these two questions are very much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>  Chandler
>
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>
>


-- 
***
Dr. A.D. Karve
Trustee & Founder President, Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI)
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