REHAU Rauvitherm pipework for district heating

REHAU's Rauvitherm flexible polymer pipework has been chosen for a district heating scheme to distribute heat to properties on an estate in East Holme, Dorset.

A biomass boiler is been installed in a redundant farm building and the distribution pipework has been installed in trenches dug 0.5m - 1.5m deep and up to 400m long.

Rauvitherm was chosen for the installation because its flexibility and durability made it the most appropriate solution for the long pipe runs and exposed rural location.

The flexible corrugated outer sleeve is constructed from robust HDPE to cope with the tough on site conditions and the outer layer of insulation is bonded to the sleeve ensuring that the pipe is both watertight and longitudinally stable.

The open cell insulation allows tight bending radii to be achieved around corners or when pulling into the separate property inlets.

REHAU's 50mm Rauvitherm Duo pipework has been used for the main pipe runs and 40mm, 35mm and 25mm Rauvitherm Duo for separate distribution spurs.

The pipe has been jointed using REHAU's renowned Everloc compression sleeve jointing system which has been proven over a million times in underfloor heating and plumbing applications to deliver a permanent leak free joint.

Fitted easily using a compression tool, it can typically be fitted in half the time it takes to install a conventional joint.

The East Holme project is expected to be entirely self sufficient since waste timber from the estate will be used to provide the estimated 120 tonnes of wood per year which will be required for the biomass boiler.

As well as 14 cottages, the district heating scheme also includes the principle farm house and church on the estate, all of which are in a conservation area.

Alaska Environmental, the company responsible for the project, says there are plans to extend the scheme to houses in the neighbouring village next year, with pipe run spurs of up to 800m to be installed.

Rauvitherm is available in single pipe versions up to 110mm and twin pipe up to 63mm, and in coil lengths of between 100m and 300m.

Rauvitherm is an addition to REHAU's range of pre-insulated pipework which already includes RAUTHERMEX, a closed cell insulated alternative which is designed to deliver optimum thermal insulation for longer heating distances and larger distribution networks.

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