HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE) GROUND HEAT EXCHANGER PIPING
 

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping systems have been used for municipal and industrial water applications for over 75 years. Within PPI's Building & Construction Division, HDPE pipes are used for ground source heat pump (GSHP) geothermal applications, also known as geoexchange systems, as well as district energy applications such as chilled water piping systems, Ambient Temperature Loops (ATLs), and Thermal Energy Networks (TENs). When used in GSHP applications, the buried or submerged pipes are typically used as the ground heat exchanger (GHX), transferring thermal energy between fluid and the earth.

For other applications of HDPE piping systems, please refer to the webpages of PPI's other divisions.

Introduction

HDPE is currently produced from compounds with pipe material designation codes of PE 3608 or PE 4710, and a color and ultraviolet stabilizer code of C or E, per ASTM D3350.

HDPE is available in both IPS (iron pipe size) and CTS (copper tube size) sizes. IPS sizes are more common in geothermal ground loop applications. HDPE tubing and pipe are produced in coils and straight lengths. Consult the specific HDPE manufacturer's literature and listings for appropriate pressure ratings.

Definition

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a plastic resin made by the copolymerization of ethylene and a small amount of another hydrocarbon. The resulting base resin density, before additives or pigments, is greater than 0.941 g/cm.

Overview

The piping material used for the ground heat exchanger (GHX) is critical to the overall success of the ground source geothermal system. It must provide corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, flexibility, impact resistance, resistance to slow crack growth, long-term hydrostatic strength (pressure capability), and temperature resistance. In addition, the ground heat exchanger material must provide suitable heat transfer capabilities. Industry codes (e.g., IAPMO UMC & USHGC, ICC IMC & IRC, CSA/ANSI/IGSHPA C448) recognize three piping materials for these applications: HDPE, PE-RT, and PEX.

HDPE is a tough, durable piping material with unique performance properties that allow for its use in a broad range of applications, utilizing a variety of different construction techniques. In the ground source geothermal industry, HDPE was one of the earliest piping materials utilized, thanks to its combination of characteristics which meet the specific demands of these applications, listed above, and is the most common piping material used for ground heat exchangers, with decades of proven service. It is typically joined with molded or fabricated fittings, produced using the same material, using butt fusion, socket fusion, or electrofusion heat fusion methods.

When specified correctly and installed according to industry and manufacturers' guidelines, the design life for HDPE GHX piping materials is typically in excess of fifty (50) years, and in some ground source heat pump systems, the actual service life of piping may be far in excess of this value.


HDPE Advantages

  • Safety of potable water and long-term reliability
  • Resistance to corrosion, tuberculation, deposits
  • Flexibility to speed installations
  • Freeze-break resistance
  • Lightweight, easy to transport
  • Low scrap value, avoiding jobsite theft
  • Durability and toughness to survive jobsite installations
  • No flame used for joining, with many fitting and joining options
  • Recyclable, eco-friendly material
  • Heat fusible for virtually leak-free performance

HDPE Applications

Within PPI's Building & Construction Division, HDPE pipes are used for ground source heat pumps (GSHP) geothermal applications, also known as geoexchange systems, as well as district energy applications such as chilled water piping systems, Ambient Temperature Loops (ATLs), and Thermal Energy Networks (TENs). When used in GSHP applications, the buried or submerged pipes are typically used as the ground heat exchanger (GHX), transferring thermal energy between fluid and the earth.

 

For other applications of HDPE piping systems (e.g., conduit, drainage, gas, municipal water), please refer to the webpages of PPI's other divisions.