Glass Fiber Reinforced Vinylester (GRVE) Composite Pipes for Oil Transportation: Temperature While Exposed to Sunlight

In this study, the maximum temperature undergone by a typical aboveground glass reinforcedvinylester composite pipe exposed to summer sunlight at Ahwaz pipeline operating conditions isestimated, regarding to the general misconception that considers the carrying fluid or the ambienttemperature as the pipe surface temperature. The temperature was calculated at different pipe diametersconsidering the possible environmental irradiations as well as the insulating thermoset polymer natureand the final result is compared to the experimental data collected by Infra-red non-contact thermometerfor the composite material as well as the surrounding environment. The differences in between wouldappear to be surprising contrary to what is expected. Results provide the system design engineer andthe material selection specialist with an actual temperature data as well as the criteria for maximumallowable temperature.

Keywords:

GRVE , Thermoset Polymer , Composite pipes , Maximum Allowable Temperature