PLX fuels community pontoon

A community-led project to construct a new pontoon in the Scottish Highlands turned to our specialist fuel conveyance pipe system, PLX, to provide a safe and reliable fuel line. The Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) secured funding for a new pontoon at Ulva Ferry Terminal to boost tourism and local employment. Situated on Mull’s Sound of Ulva, the Ulva Ferry Pontoon facility, manufactured and installed by Gaelforce Engineering, provides the only secure berthing on the West of Mull, offering berths for eight visiting craft. The new pontoon required a re-fuelling station and, looking for a reliable pipework system to serve the filling station, Gaelforce Engineering turned our specialist fuel conveyance pipe system PLX. PLX dual contained pipe in size 63#75mm was installed to transfer marine gasoil (red diesel) from an onshore bunded tank, through a service duct along the access gangways and across the pontoon to the fuel cabinet. Ensuring fuel does not leak into the environment is always of paramount importance, but with the pipework in this project running along a floating structure, safe fuel transfer was vital. Any leaks into the atmosphere would not only pollute the seawater below, but could also potentially endanger marine life, and so PLX was selected due to its increased permeation resistance, offering the reassurance that fuel would not permeate the pipe wall. The pipe system was required to be installed within confined areas and so PLX offered added installation benefits, as its lightweight nature made it easier to handle in tight spaces. Coupled with its quick and simple electrofusion jointing technique, PLX saved Gaelforce Engineering significant installation labour time and cost savings. Commenting on the project, Stephen Offord, Production Director at Gaelforce Engineering, said: “This was a challenging project as we were creating a completely new floating structure, with all the challenges that come with that. Vessels berthed on the pontoon are relying on receiving fuel so it was vital we installed a reliable and safe pipework system for the fuel line. “PLX provided the ideal solution, offering benefits to us as installers, while reassuring MICT it has a reliable system in place that will continue to serve the needs of the pontoon with minimal maintenance requirements.” PLX is manufactured as a multilayer pipe utilising the superior mechanical characteristics of polyethylene as a base material, which enables the pipe to be permanently welded using electrofusion technology. Providing exceptional resistance to rapid crack propagation and long term stress cracking, PLX comprises a protective liner, which increases permeation resistance against many types of fuel blends ensuring there is no permeation of fuel through the pipe wall into the environment. For further information on PLX click here.

For more information on PLX fuels community pontoon talk to Durapipe (UK)