Purity and flexibility win the day for CalAir polymer piping system at industry leader Fortune Soy

Calair’s Air-Pro and Water-Pro systems has once again demonstrated its ease of installation and flexibility and cleanliness in use in an installation at Fortune Soy Manufacturing Pty Ltd.

More than 1.4 km of CalAir Air-Pro and Water-Pro systems were installed to supply processing equipment such as soy bean tanks and pneumatic machinery at the Fortune Soy facility in Padstow, NSW. Fortune Soy is a leading Manufacturer of soy food products, having been in the industry for 18 years.

“CalAir pipes are very flexible and easy to install,” says Henry Aw, Managing Director of Fortune Soy. Mr Aw specified the system after being impressed by its easy handling, manageability and low maintenance requirements. The system is typically 3-4 times quicker to install than traditional pipe lines.

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“The CalAir pipes have several advantages over steel pipes. The installation of the piping system was very quick. It usually takes much longer to install pipes made of traditional materials. The pipes are also very light and require no special treatment as well as being very clean,” he said.

The initial installation commenced service in early 2005 and has been expanded and changed on an ongoing basis as production needs change. “In that time I have found that the pipe systems are inherently efficient and any problems are easy to fix,” says Mr Aw.

Typically weighing eight times less than steel, CalAir pipe systems are reusable, re-locatable, and recyclable as well as being permanently colour-coded for safety, according to the gases and liquids they are used to carry.

fortune soyFortune Soy’s pneumatic pipe systems are coloured aqua and the Water-Pro pipes are coloured green in accordance with AS 1345-1995. The other CalAir Systems are coded beige for gas, red for fire services, violet for acids and alkalines, brown for oil and black for waste.

In addition to the product’s speed, durability and ease of handling, Mr Aw says that the service provided by CalAir was as excellent as the product itself.

“CalAir offers very reliable service and one-day delivery. I really appreciated that.”

The Managing Director of CalAir Pipe Systems, Mr John McNab, says the non-corrosive, low-friction internal bore of the polymer pipelines means they will neither damage expensive tools by depositing particulates into the airstream, nor waste compressor energy by inhibiting air flow with the rust buildups that can strangle traditional systems.

“Also, they are very easy and safe for maintenance and production workers because their permanent colours immediately identify the contents of the pipes they are working with. This is important because, in coming years, many existing traditional pipe systems may need to be replaced in the face of evolving health, safety and environmental regulations such as those contained in the Australian Occupation Health and Safety Act, says Mr McNab. This situation is mirrored in many international markets as an increasing trend,” says Mr McNab.

CalAir introduced its colour- coded polymer pipe systems as an alternative to imported systems typically costing more than twice as much.

The CalAir piping system is a totally integrated system, with a comprehensive range of joints, cross-pieces, elbows, fasteners and fittings. It simple, versatile and very flexible to use without requiring any expensive specialist trades such as welding. Unlike metal welded systems – which frequently have to be junked when production facilities change location – the CalAir system can be dismantled, cleanly packed away and reconverted to a new use.

For details about CalAir’s national network, please contact Mr John S. McNab, 6 Edwards Road, Dural, NSW 2158, Australia, Ph (61+2) 9651 4722, website www.calair.net.au, email sales@calair.net.au