Major Breakthrough in Sustainable Pipeline Materials for HYDROMINE Project

A significant milestone has been reached in the HYDROMINE project, as researchers successfully develop and test new, environmentally friendly pipeline materials. Led by the Cluster of Excellence MERGE at TU Chemnitz, Work Package 4 (WP4) has made crucial progress in creating sustainable solutions for energy storage applications in post-mining regions.

At the heart of this achievement is the successful processing of “green” polymers derived from renewable resources. The team demonstrated that bio-based polyethylene, sourced from sugarcane, can be effectively extruded into both sheets and pipes, confirming the viability of these sustainable materials for industrial manufacturing.

Bio-based PE

From Sugarcane to High-Tech Pipes

The initial trials have been highly encouraging. The research team has manufactured laboratory-scale test pipes with a 38 mm diameter and a 2 mm wall thickness. These early results have exceeded expectations, showing several promising characteristics that are critical for future deployment.

“The successful demonstration of processability and the favourable characteristics observed during these initial trials indicate that bio-based polymers represent a viable and sustainable alternative for energy storage applications in post-mining environments.”

Pipe Extrusion Line at MERGE Research Centre

Key Achievements at a Glance:

• Superior Surface Quality: The manufactured pipes exhibit a smooth, homogeneous surface finish with minimal defects, which is crucial for efficient fluid dynamics.

• Stable Melt Behaviour: The extrusion process proved to be remarkably stable, ensuring consistent and reliable manufacturing.

• Promising Flexibility: Under ambient conditions, the pipes displayed excellent flexibility, a key advantage for installation in challenging subsurface terrains.

A Collaborative European Effort

This success is built on a foundation of intensive collaboration among the international consortium partners. Each partner brings unique expertise to the table, creating a powerful synergy that drives the project forward.

Partner	Contribution to Work Package 4
TU Chemnitz, MERGE	Leads the material selection, characterisation, and processing.
Fraunhofer IWU	Conducts advanced mechanical testing and surface analysis.
University of Petrosani	Provides critical site-specific geotechnical and environmental data.
WUST	Supplies essential information on boundary conditions and terrain.

Outlook and Next Steps

With this solid foundation, the project is now moving into the next phase of detailed analysis. Further investigations, led by Fraunhofer IWU, are underway to characterise surface roughness and other critical properties. A comprehensive quality comparison of the different materials is also in progress.

Simultaneously, WUST is collecting soil samples from the demonstration site to further refine the material specifications. These ongoing tests will inform the final material selection, paving the way for full-scale implementation in the HYDROMINE project.