Minimum Federal Safety Standards for corrosion control on buried oil & gas pipelines stipulate that metallic pipes should be properly coated and have impressed-current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems in place to control the electrical potential field around a protected pipe. In certain examples described herein, electrically-conductive composites can be used and provide intrinsically-safe materials without the dielectric shielding issues of existing materials used with pipelines. As reacted by customary spray applications, the nanocomposite foams described herein are directly compatible with ICCP functionality wherever foam contacts the metallic pipe. Various compositions and their use with underground and/or above ground pipelines are described.

A tube includes a corrugated metal tubular member; and a first covering part that covers the outside of the tubular member, and forms a braided structure using a resin string member of which at least a part is covered by a metal having lower electrical resistance than that of a metal forming the tubular member. The tube can also include a third covering part made of an insulating resin arranged between the tubular member and the first covering part, and covers the tubular member, wherein the first covering part covers the third covering part.

Described is a method for manufacturing coated pipe sections having a hollow conduit or an electrical cable within the coating. Also described are such pipe sections. The hollow conduit may be used to place sensors, fiber optics, or heating cable within the coating.

A fire extinguishing system including a fluid source, at least one sprinkler (2), and distribution pipes (3). The distribution pipes (3) are formed at least partially as soft-steel metal pipe having a friction loss defined according to the Hazen-Williams formula (1), with P=6.05.Math.10.sup.5.Math.L.Math.Q.sup.1.85.Math.C.sup.(1.85).Math.d.sup.(4.87), in which P=pressure drop in the pipeline, in bar, Q=flow rate through the pipeline, in l/min, d=average inside diameter of the pipe, in mm, C=constant for the type and condition of the pipeline, and L=equivalent length of pipe sections and pipe fittings, in m. The distribution pipes (3) have an anti-corrosion coating on the inside in order to ensure a value for C in a range of 125 to 150 during commissioning of the fire extinguishing system.

A system and method for direct and/or active detection and monitoring of civil engineering or other infrastructural structures, and in a preferred embodiment, for hydrocarbon leakage in oil and gas pipelines, storage structures, and/or transportation structures. Particularly, the system and method relate to various nanocomposite sensor coating and data gathering systems. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a single measurement sensor coating (thin film) sensor. Other embodiments relate to multiple measurement sensor coating systems. The sensor is comprised of either a discrete conductive filament layer, or a single or multiple mesh of interwoven filaments of conductive material in one direction and nonconductive material in a perpendicular direction, as a substrate coated with sensitive coating materials to form a sensor grid. Various embodiments of the sensor coating and their applications are also disclosed.

A ventilation conduit is provided, the ventilation conduit being configured to be installed in a building structure with cement poured on said conduit. The ventilation conduit is configured to have a profile section comprising a plurality of layers, a first layer being of a first material and a second layer being of a second material having anti-corrosion properties. The first material may be any of galvanized steel, aluminum or stainless steel and the second material may be a polymer-based material. The layers are arranged in a configuration having periodic waves and sealing regions in a hook configuration. An anti-corrosion coating and a thermal insulation membrane may be applied on the first and second materials. A method for processing and installing a ventilation conduit is further provided, the method allowing the processing of ventilation conduits as described above.

An adhesive used in underground applications where vegetation is present wherein the adhesive has been doped with a material or materials that deter the growth properties of adjacent vegetation. The materials can include Zinc, Copper Sulfate, Copper Oxide, as well as sulfates of Zinc, Manganese, and Nickel, in quantities that will repel or deter the advancement of roots and invasive vegetation into fittings and joints in an underground system. The adhesive is used to bond a conduit and a fitting in an air-tight and water tight seal, and the inclusion of the root deterrent material resists invasion of nearby roots into the piping. The root deterring supplements to the adhesive to not degrade the performance of the adhesive and actually repel roots in the vicinity of the materials.

A fire extinguishing system including a fluid source, at least one sprinkler (2), and distribution pipes (3). The distribution pipes (3) are formed at least partially as soft-steel metal pipe having a friction loss defined according to the Hazen-Williams formula (1), with P=6.05.Math.10.sup.5.Math.L.Math.Q.sup.1.85.Math.C.sup.(1.85).Math.d.sup.(4.87), in which P=pressure drop in the pipeline, in bar, Q=flow rate through the pipeline, in l/min, d=average inside diameter of the pipe, in mm, C=constant for the type and condition of the pipeline, and L=equivalent length of pipe sections and pipe fittings, in m. The distribution pipes (3) have an anti-corrosion coating on the inside in order to ensure a value for C in a range of 125 to 150 during commissioning of the fire extinguishing system.

An uncured or partially cured, flexible fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) film for application to a metal substrate, such as an oil and gas pipeline pipe and pipeline pipe weld areas includes an epoxy resin, a curing agent, accelerator, filler, and optional additives. The epoxy can include a blend of solid epoxy resin and liquid epoxy resin. Also included are methods of applying the FBE film to pipe in the shop and on field joints. Methods also include using a flexible, electric heat blanket or heat belt to cure FBE film and epoxy liquid coatings on field joints.

A composite particle includes a discrete, hollow, ceramic spheroid and a fluoropolymer layer disposed thereon. The fluoropolymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether; a perfluoroalkoxy vinyl ether; at least one fluoroolefin independently represented by formula C(R).sub.2CFRf, wherein Rf is fluorine or a perfluoroalkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R is hydrogen, fluorine, or chlorine; or a combination thereof. Methods of making the composite particles, composite materials, and articles including them are also disclosed.