Reimagining Wastewater Treatment: How GRE Piping Transforms Fluidized Bed Incinerator Systems
Introduction
Despite what the name might suggest, fluidized bed incinerator (FBI) technology, also known as thermal oxidation, is one of the most low-carbon solutions available for managing biosolids in today’s modern municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
When deployed in densely populated urban or metropolitan regions, this technology drastically reduces the volume of treated solids that must be trucked away from the facility — cutting back on thousands of tractor-trailer trips per year. For an essential service that every urban municipality depends on, this represents a significant reduction in carbon intensity and a major stride toward sustainability.
The Challenge: Corrosion and Erosion in Harsh Ash Slurry Systems
Fluidized bed incinerator plants operate under extreme chemical and physical conditions — low pH, high temperatures, and abrasive ash slurries create an environment that quickly destroys conventional carbon steel piping.
At one such municipal facility, operators faced the recurring challenge of replacing corroded and eroded steel piping spools every 3 to 6 months. The constant maintenance and downtime not only strained budgets but also impacted operational efficiency and reliability.
Recognizing the need for a long-term answer, the client reached out to Fibreglass Solutions Inc. (FSI) for assistance with material selection and system optimization.
The Solution: Silver Streak and Ceram Core GRE Piping
Drawing on decades of experience in handling corrosive and abrasive service conditions, our team recommended NOV Fiber Glass Systems’ Silver Streak™ and Ceram Core™ abrasion-resistant glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) piping systems for a pilot upgrade within the facility.
These non-metallic piping systems eliminate the corrosion-erosion cycle that plagues metallic alternatives. Since the installation, the plant has already skipped two scheduled spool replacements, marking a tangible win for both reliability and sustainability.
The results speak for themselves:
- Service life extended from months to decades
- Zero maintenance requirements
- Improved uptime and performance
- Significant reduction in total lifecycle costs
A Proven Solution Since the 1990s
FSI has been specifying and supplying GRE piping systems for high-abrasion applications since the early 1990s, supporting facilities across North America in achieving safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient operations.
Our experience with NOV’s Silver Streak™ and Ceram Core™ systems demonstrates that when properly designed and installed, fibreglass piping can outperform traditional materials, even in the harshest wastewater environments.
The Future: Building a Maintenance-Free Facility
With the success of the pilot installation, later project phases will replace more metallic piping throughout the plant, bringing operators closer to their goal of a fully maintenance-free ash handling system.
As municipalities continue to seek sustainable, low-carbon, and cost-effective infrastructure solutions, GRE technology will play an increasingly critical role in shaping the future of wastewater treatment.
Partner with FSI for Your Next Fibreglass Solution
At Fibreglass Solutions Inc. (FSI), we work closely with owners, engineers, and contractors to ensure the successful selection, specification, and installation of high-performance GRE piping systems from NOV Fiber Glass Systems, L.P.
Whether your challenge is corrosion, abrasion, or both — we can help design a solution that lasts decades, not months.
Contact us today to learn how FSI can support your next Fibreglass Solution.