Pipeline professionals from around the world are converging in Baltimore, Maryland, this week for the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Pipelines 2015 Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Recent Advances in Underground Pipeline Engineering and Construction,” where attendees can share their experiences in meeting the challenges of today’s pipeline infrastructure.
One challenge today is aging infrastructure. According to the ASCE’s 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the grade given to both our nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure was a D, indicating many parts of our systems are nearing the end of their service life.
“Much of the nation’s 100-plus-year-old infrastructure is iron pipe. If it weren’t iron, it would have been necessary to replace it decades ago,” said Maury Gaston, AMERICAN Ductile Iron Pipe Marketing Services manager. “When replacing pipe now, the best choice is ductile iron – a strong, environmentally friendly product made from recycled iron and steel that is designed to last for decades.”
At Booth 301, ASCE Pipelines 2015 attendees can learn about innovative products from AMERICAN Ductile Iron Pipe and AMERICAN Flow Control that lead to even longer pipeline life. One of these is zinc coating, an advancement in corrosion control for iron pipe. “With an exceptionally long life, zinc-coated ductile iron pipe is the most effective and dependable way to further extend the life of an already durable and reliable product,” said Gaston.
Also in the AMERICAN booth will be AMERICAN Flow Control’s Series 2500 resilient wedge gate valve with Flex-Ring® ends, available in sizes 16 through 60 inches. “Flex-Ring is a revolutionary boltless restrained joint that employs a positive method of joint restraint,” said Derek Scott, AMERICAN Flow Control Marketing and Technical manager. “Gone are the days when valves of this size require labor intensive bolt and nut assemblies for pipeline installation. In these larger sizes, engineers now have a clear alternative to butterfly valves with the Series 2500. In a life-cycle analysis, AMERICAN has become the valve of choice for many owners due to increased durability, lower maintenance costs, lower energy consumption and substantial installation savings.”
On display in Baltimore will also be the new AMERICAN Earthquake Joint System, designed to protect water infrastructure during seismic events. The system, for use with AMERICAN’s pipe, valves and hydrants, helps maintain clean, safe drinking water and dependable fire protection before, during and after an earthquake. AMERICAN’s Earthquake Joint System moves up and down and side to side to resist the tremendous underground forces from an earthquake.
AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company was founded in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1905. AMERICAN manufactures ductile iron pipe, spiral-welded steel pipe, fire hydrants and valves for the waterworks industry and electric-resistance-welded steel pipe for the oil and natural gas industries. AMERICAN’s diversified product line also includes static castings and high-performance fire pumps.
