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Sustainable installation of district energy

THE NEW WAY of Welding
District Heating Pipes

Until today, welding of steel pipes has been a time consuming job.
Snapweld’ing is the new way of welding district heating pipes.

A NOVEL APPROACH to Joining
Pipes for District Heating.

Until now, the process of welding steel pipes has been quite time-consuming.
Snapwelding introduces a modern method for welding district heating pipes.

Welding pipes in a few minutes

Our patented Snapweld’ing is as easy as it can be
This video explains Snapweld’ing in 90 seconds

From 20 to 2500 degrees in 10 seconds

Snapweld’ing reduces costs and time schedule

Snapweld’ing is fast and easy. The time spent per joint is heavily reduced, saving direct work costs and machine costs for the supporting vehicles and machinery. No need for gas or electricity implies further cost reductions.

Less time per joint reduces the total project period, causing shorter blockage of streets, neighborhoods etc. These indirect cost savings are quite considerable.

Snapweld’ing is no hard work

Traditional welding is physically very hard work as the welder lies on the ground several hours per day, constantly moving their hands intensively to create the weld. Psychologically it is also straining due to the monotony of the work.

Consequently, it gets more and more challenging to find qualified welders. Snapweld’ing on the other hand is no hard work and requires just a short training session.

Snapweld’ing advantages

The obvious advantage is the saved time per joint, which in addition to reduced labor and machine costs also reduce the time of the whole operational process, i.e. the blocking of streets.

Traditional welding is physically very hard work as the welder lies on the ground several hours per day, constantly moving their hands intensively to create the weld. Psychologically is also straining due to the monotony of the work. Consequently it gets more and more challenging to find qualified workers.

Trippel layer, reinforced weld

Traditional performed welds have been a key source to piping failures like cracking.
The quality of the traditional weld is highly dependent on the qualification of each welder.
Snapweld’ing isn’t, because it can hardly be performed in a wrong way.
Snapweld’ing creates a tripple layer reinforced weld.

Thermite; power-powder

Thermite is a mix of iron oxide (Fe2O3 ) and alumium powder (Al). Igniting this mix, starts an extreme chemical reaction, reaching 2500 degrees in seconds. The aluminium connects to the oxygen in the iron oxide, creating iron and aluminium oxide:

Fe2O3 + 2 Al → 2 Fe + Al2O3

* (By adding carbon to the process we get a carbon steel weld.)

Our Products

Snapwelder supplies complete welding sets in various sizes.
Each set contains the mould, the nipple, and the thermite powder mix.

  • Snap 100

    • For DN 100 pipes
    • 114 mm outer diameter
    • 98 mm inner diameter
  • Snap 125

    • For DN 125 pipes
    • 141 mm outer diameter
    • 132 mm inner diameter
  • Snap 150

    • For DN 150 pipes
    • 168 mm outer diameter
    • 159 mm inner diameter
  • Snap 200

    • For DN 200 pipes
    • 219 mm outer diameter
    • 208 mm inner diameter
  • Snap 250

    • For DN 250 pipes
    • 273 mm outer diameter
    • 261 mm inner diameter
  • Snap 300

    • For DN 300 pipes
    • 324 mm outer diameter
    • 312 mm inner diameter

District heating is the future

According to The Heat Roadmap Europe (which is funded by the EU’s research and innovation program), EU has a potential of reaching an overall district heating-share of 50% of the total energy used for space heating and cooling by 2050.

This is 4 times higher than today’s 12-13%. To reach this 50%-potential, an extreme construction of piping networks and heat sources is required. Consequently, development of district heating is very high on the agenda in most EU-countries.

4th generation district heating

4th generation district heating is a smart flexible heating system that combines several renewable heating sources in a smart-grid. Heating pumps, access heat, thermal heat, biomass, solar and wind are common sources of renewable energy used for district heating.

By using a smart-grid, the temperature in the grid can be lower than in previous 3rd generation networks.

The most populated countries
will lead the way

Population, access to renewable energy sources and governmental focus are the three key drivers of district heating development.

Not surprisingly, the largest and most industrialized countries in Europe have the highest expected growth in district heating towards 2050.

These numbers are estimates done by Heat Roadmap Europe, funded by the EU.

Steel pipes vs. polymer pipes

Polymer pipes in district heating has become very popular for the smaller sized piping (up to 100 mm carrier pipe diameter). Typically, from the street and into buildings.

Delivery on rolls, quick installation and low weight are KPI’s for polymer piping.

But the polymer’s limitations in temperature, pressure and lifespan makes steel piping the preferred material for network piping (in most situations).

About Snapwelder

Snapwelder was founded in Bergen, Norway in 2016, with a vision to adapt thermite welding to steel pipes. After achieving patent protection in 2019, Snapwelder started focusing on district heating steel pipes, as district heating is a key pillar for future space heating and cooling.

Snapwelder is currently working on qualification of the technology with DNVGL.

Snapwelder’s head office is still in Bergen, Norway, and sales and marketing in located in the Netherlands.

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