APPLICATION OF POLYETHYLENE PIPES AND RESOURCE SAVING IN THE GAS DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS OF AZERBAIJAN

The advantages of polyethylene pipes in the construction of gas distribution net-works compared to steel pipes are analyzed. The main advantages are low-cost, long service life and corrosion resistance. Based on technological advantages, economic feasibility, and the availability of domestic production facilities (in Sumgait, Azerbaijan), the country is currently actively replacing existing steel gas pipelines with polyethylene ones. Wherever possible, these pipelines are being installed through steel pipelines that have reached the end of their service life, which in turn provides additional protection for the polyethylene pipes from mechanical damage. Currently, gas transportation with polyethylene pipes is carried out in several pipe-lines. In order to investigate the hydraulic resistance of these pipelines, studies were conducted on the polyethylene and metal parts of the gas pipelines supplying cities of Salyan and Neftchala. Researches were carried out in different pressure and consumption regimes, in summer and winter seasons. As a result of the research, it was determined that the calculated value of the hydraulic resistance in the part of the pipeline with polyethylene pipes in different modes is reduced by approximately two times compared to the metal pipes. This, in turn, makes it possible to increase productivity without changing the pressure regime (about 1.4 times compared to metal pipes). The reason for the reduction of hydraulic resistance in polyethylene pipes is that their roughness is much less than that of steel pipes (according to current standards, it is 0.0007 cm for new polyethylene pipes and 0.01 cm for new steel pipes). The results of the conducted research can be recommended for practical use in the design and construction of gas distribution networks. Bibl. 15, Tab. 1, Fig. 1.