APEAAnnual Conference, Exhibition and Dinner 2005

stream from existing urea production plants at a point where it is a very pure liquid. This stream supplies at least two large bulk tanks where it is mixed with demineralised water with each tank representing a batch which is analysed with resulting full traceability as the product is distributed.

There are 12 urea production plants in Europe of which Yara operates 4 making it the largest producer of urea in Europe. Yara have been involved in the Euro 4 SCR/AdBlue project since it's infancy having already become established as a supplier of urea for large SCR applications of the technology for power generation, incinerators and ships it was a natural development to apply its expertise in the commercial vehicle SCR sector. One of the sizeable questions that the industry is asking is that of AdBlue availability. While it will not immediately be available on relevant forecourts and truck stops this is a key ambition. However, Yara being the largest European urea/AdBlue producer has established a pan-European agreement with the largest chemical distributor in Europe called Brenntag. Under the brand name Air1, the two companies supply a total service package of AdBlue in 1000 litre Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC's) which can be exchanged on a "full for empty" basis and bulk tanks (similar to fuel tanks), both options supplied with appropriate dispense equipment. These supply options are particularly suitable for operators yard's where home depot fuel may already be stored. Another option includes 10 litre canisters which are viewed as a "get-you-home" package which can be carried on a vehicle and/or made available at more remote retail outlets.

Important points to summarise with include;

1.SCR are coming and are here to stay. 2.SCR technology has many benefits. 3.AdBlue is available now. 4.Yara and others will secure expedient supply of AdBlue and related services.

Finally within Yara there is a lot of expertise which can be accessed by interested parties (operators, equipment suppliers etc) via the AdBlue alpha dial helpline; 0700 4 ADBLUE. This line was recently launched so technical and operational advice can be accessed by the commercial vehicle sector - this is all part of the Air1 package.

EN 14125: a new European standard for underground pipework at petrol stations

The publication of EN 14125 at the end of 2004 introduces a new Europewide standard entitled "Thermoplastic and flexible metal pipework for underground installation at petrol stations". Plastic and flexible metal pipework was introduced during the 1990s to replace rigid steel and fibreglass and has been adopted widely. The advantages include lighter weight for transport, ability to coil, speed of installation, and the ability of pipes and joint to flex in response to ground movement with a much reduced risk of leakage.

In 1996 the Institute of Petroleum issued a performance standard for these new pipes which was accepted by the relevant legislative and approvals authorities throughout the UK and much of the world. It was updated in 2001 to include, among other things, a surveillance scheme to ensure consistency of manufacturing quality. Some European countries, notably Germany and the Netherlands, had their own standards and were particularly restrictive concerning possible permeability of fuel though the polymer pipe wall, although in all cases special hydrocarbon barriers are included to minimise this.

EN14125, developed and written by the UK led working group CEN TC221/SC2/WG6, presents a unified European standard. Those familiar with the Institute of Petroleum specification will find numerous changes. The permeability limit for the pipes has been reduced to zero with a tolerance band of +0.2 grams per square metre of pipe surface per day. Pressure testing is now required at the maximum service temperature of 50 ºC, and a special temperature class has been introduced for which the low temperature brittleness tests, normally performed at -20 ºC, may now be performed at -40 ºC where the pipes are to be used in the coldest regions. Long-term pressure testing has been introduced, as has a weathering test. MTBE has been added to one of the test fuels, reflecting current concerns with this additive. Two classes of secondary containment are defined, one simply as a leakage containment and the other capable of resisting the full pressure or vacuum of the delivery pipe which it surrounds. On the other hand, some testing has been simplified such as the requirement to perform impact and bending tests at the lowest temperature alone.

EN 14125 covers the quality of the pipes and connectors themselves and not the method of installation. Although not directly subject to European law ("mandated"), it should be adopted across Europe and beyond. With North America adhering to the parallel Underwriters' Laboratories standard UL971, however, it may take some years before we have a single specification acceptable worldwide.

EN 14125 may be purchased as a British standard (BS EN 14125) from the British Standards Institution (www.bsi-global.com).

Contributed by John Greenwood, ERATechnology Ltd, Convenor of CEN T C 2 2 1 / S C 2 / W G 6 (john.greenwood@era.co.uk). ERA Technology provides consultancy and testing of pipes and connections to this specification and can issue certificates of compliance.