I build a lab experimental model for anaerobic digestion and should connect the components but I need to have no methane losses from digesters to the gas scrubbers and then to Al-foiled biogas bags, so as I need flexible pipelines less permeable to methane. I read that PE, PP, PVC and rubbers are permeable for low molecular weight gases but PTFE and FEP are resistent to chemical agents, corrosion, high temperatures up to 260 deg.C. My application doesn’t need such performance which makes the cost be higher but I didn’t find any details about gas permeability. However, I tend to decide for PTFE or FEP pipes, what is your suggestion? Thank you.
Dear Dr. Carmen Mateescu
The use of PTFE and FEP are more favourable in such cases, but also, a flexible stainless steel pipe can be used (i.e. flexible vacuum pipe connection).
best regards
Thank you, Mr. Khalid Sukkar, I found suppliers and asked inquires for plastic pipes despite no data about gas permeability but I will also consider your suggestion to use stainless steel pipes.
Thank you, prof. Benyahia, for your suggestion. I took a look on the indicated pages. Indeed HDPE is used for gas distribution pipelines too, but the plastic is rigid, stiff, rather inflexible for the lab application that I need. It is perfect for yard distribution pipes, watering systems etc. I saw that flexible pipes are made from MDPE, even LDPE, but they are used for liquefied gas or higher-mass gases which do not permeabilize the pipe wall as methane does. For my application that requires few meters only I will select PTFE, I wish to minimize methane losses in this way.
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