Types of Industry where Stainless Steel Pipe is Used
Now we’ve taken a look at the different types of steel pipe on offer, let’s look at the industries they are used in.
1.Oil and Gas
Technology plays a massively important role in the oil and gas industries. The need for corrosion-resistant piping has increased over the past couple of years as the depths we explore for oil deepens and more pressure is being placed on the duplex and super duplex stainless steel pipes we use. These harsh environments can be incredibly corrosive and if the damage is left unchecked, the pipes would easily burst and become unusable for deeper depths. This is why it’s important to have sturdy pipes in the oil and gas industry and how it plays such a huge role in the success of this industry.
2.Nuclear Power
Obtaining usable energy from atomic nuclei is no easy task. All of the nuclear reactors we use today heat water to produce steam which is then used to spin turbines that provide us with energy and most of them are placed near the coast due to the cooling requirements. As such, much of the water being pumped in to cool down these reactors is from the sea, and it needs to be resistant to the corrosive nature of seawater. Stainless steel pipe is more than qualified to defend against corrosion from seawater, hence its importance in the nuclear power industry.
3.LNG
LNG (liquefied natural gas) is gas that has been temporarily converted into a liquid form for the sake of transportation. Its volume is greatly reduced to make it easier and cheaper to transport. In some cases, transporting natural gas via pipelines isn’t possible or cheap enough to be worth the cost, which is why it’s instead transported via a liquid form in cryogenic sea vessels and road tankers. As such, it’s important to have the right piping that provides safe and economical LNG transport to deliver natural gas to parts of the country or world that are difficult to reach.
4.Desalination
Desalination is the removal of salt and other minerals from a source of water. This is done to convert water into fresh water that is fit for humans to use or possibly irrigation. In most cases, salt is created as a by-product and desalination are used on many submarines and ships. Today, desalination is typically spoken about when attempting to bring fresh potable water to regions of the world where it is difficult. Saltwater and metals generally don’t mix very well, hence the importance of getting piping in the desalination industry that is able to withstand the natural corrosive properties of salt water.
5.Mining and Minerals
Mining is the process of extracting materials from the earth. The materials covered are usually in the form of metals both common and precious and it’s something that has been done for thousands of years to acquire beneficial resources. The mining industry is one where stainless steel has made it easier and more profitable to take on larger operations. Whether it’s used in the actual mines itself where workers and machines dig at the earth, or in the bunk beds and mess halls where staff sleep, it’s used in a variety of different applications to provide safety and reliability.