Insulation of pipelines: types of insulators for different types of pipes
Insulation of pipelines is a very important measure, which is performed to protect communications from environmental phenomena, prevention of heat loss, etc.. d. Pipelines for different purposes differ in material, therefore, each type of pipeline requires its own type of insulation material. Isolation of various communications not only protects them from external influences, but also increases efficiency, as well as the service life of the highway.
Measures to insulate pipelines are carried out for insulation, protection against moisture and ultraviolet light, as well as from damage, which can cause animals or humans
Materials for insulation of hot water supply pipelines
Communications, transporting hot water, require the organization of isolation, which has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity. This is necessary to reduce the heat loss of the pipes. Without proper insulation, the pipeline will dissipate heat into the environment, showing low efficiency.
Consider, what types of insulating materials can protect the pipeline, transporting hot water:
- foam polymer pipe insulation (PPM) Is an insulating material, obtained by mixing foamed polyurethane foam and mineral filler.
PPM insulation is used, usually, only for hot water pipelines. PPM insulation consists of three main layers, having different densities. PPM insulation is a multifunctional protective structure, since each of its layers performs its function: corrosion protection, thermal insulation, waterproofing. This monolithic structure is resistant to temperature changes, and also has high strength, that allows to protect a pipeline design from mechanical influences.
Useful Information! Insulation of pipelines can be external, and internal. Internal insulation of pipes performs two main functions: protection of the pipe from corrosion and increase the capacity of the highway.
- polyurethane foam (PPU). This material is used mainly for that, to strengthen the waterproofing performance of communication. It has high heat resistance and can withstand temperature jumps. exept this, it should be noted, that heat losses at the organization of isolation from polyurethane foam make no more 5%.
- very strong insulation (VUS). This is a special type of insulation, which consists of two or three layers and is used to protect pipeline communications from the harmful effects of corrosion. And it is also worth saying, that VUS is resistant to low temperatures and can be used in adverse climatic conditions.
Highly reinforced insulation is used to protect highways, working in difficult climatic conditions
Materials for pipeline insulation, transporting cold water
To isolate communications, which transport cold water, the following types of insulators are used:
- insulation based on basalt fiber. Such pipe insulation has various sizes and is issued in the form of the cylinder. The main advantage of this insulation is, that special trays are not required for installation of the pipeline, and such insulation is most effective for communications, transport cold water. exept this, the organization of basalt insulation does not require any special construction skills and has a high speed.
- foam rubber (VK). This material has excellent waterproofing properties, and is able to withstand temperature fluctuations. It has a closed porous structure. Usually, such an insulator is available in the form of tubes or plates. And it is also worth noting, that the foamed rubber is a fire-retardant material and in case of fire is self-extinguishing.
- mineral mats. They are made of mineral wool and are used for insulation of large diameter pipelines. Depending on the design features, there are three types of mineral mats: piercing, foil, lamellae.
- fiberglass. This material is not self-sufficient and is used only in combination with other insulators (example, with fiberglass). Usually, fiberglass mats are used instead. Installation of fiberglass mats is carried out in this way: first, the pipeline is wrapped with mats, then they are fixed with ordinary wire and, finally, the resulting structure is wrapped in polyethylene. This method is considered inconvenient and time consuming, but, such thermal insulation has proven itself well and is quite effective.
- foamed polyethylene (secondary polyethylene). This insulator is made in the form of tubes, which have a longitudinal section. Installation of tubes from secondary polyethylene differs in simplicity and high speed. Secondary polyethylene is an environmentally friendly material, which is able to withstand temperature fluctuations, and is resistant to aggressive chemicals. The use of secondary polyethylene eliminates the occurrence of fungi and mold.
Foamed polyethylene cylinders are used to insulate cold pipelines in the home and industry
- polyurethane foam (PPU) spraying. This method, from a financial point of view, the most expensive, but, and the most effective, if to compare it with other options of thermal insulation of pipes. Special sprays are used to apply PPU to the pipe. After contact with air, polyurethane foam hardens and forms a dense protective coating, which has high resistance to low temperatures.
Useful Information! It should be noted, that most often after installation of a polyfoam shell, on top apply additional waterproofing. Ordinary polyethylene can act as such waterproofing.
- polyfoam. Polyfoam insulators in the form of a special shell are made, which is easily put on a pipe. This material is the most common due to the ease of installation. Foam shell can be coated or made without it.
- liquid insulation for pipes. This is a very specific way to protect pipes from low temperatures. This version of thermal insulation is rarely used. The method is based on the application of a special heat-resistant paint on the pipe.
Insulation of heating networks
For insulation of thermal networks, whose task is to deliver heat from the boiler room to consumers, various insulating materials are used. First of all, such materials are faced with the task of reducing the heat loss coefficient. Heating networks transport two main working environments:
- water;
- steam.
Thermal insulation (water and steam) networks are made using such materials:
- mineral wool. Is a fairly common insulator, which has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, as well as resistant to ignition. Properties of mineral wool allow it to be quite a popular material for thermal insulation of pipeline structures, transport heat. Of the disadvantages of this material is the high cost.
Insulation material for hot water systems and steam pipelines must be as follows, to minimize possible heat loss
- polyurethane foam (PPU). Distinctive features of this material are low thermal conductivity and high coefficient of waterproofing.
- expanded polystyrene (PPS). This material is, essentially, the same polyfoam and differs in simplicity of installation on the pipeline. exept this, it is worth noting, that the cost of expanded polystyrene is quite low.
- foamed polyethylene (secondary polyethylene). Tubular material, which occupies a leading position among insulators for heating networks.
- heat-insulating paint. As mentioned above, such material is applied to pipes by means of special sprays and differs in high protective characteristics.
Insulation of gas pipelines
For pipe insulation, transporting gas, use different versions of insulators. Example, you can insulate the pipeline with a special paint or varnish, but in most cases modern protective materials are used.
What requirements must meet the insulator for gas pipes:
- first of all the insulator for the gas pipeline should be able to be uniform, monolithic installation on a pipe;
- and also very important, that the insulating material for the pipeline has a low coefficient of water absorption and in general high waterproofing properties;
Importantly! The insulating material must protect the pipe from the effects of ultraviolet radiation, since ultraviolet rays are a destructive factor.
The material for the insulation of gas pipes must have high moisture resistance
- also high-quality protective material must be highly resistant to corrosion and other aggressive chemical compounds;
- the insulator must be strong enough, to protect the pipeline from mechanical impacts;
- the coating must not be damaged (cracks, chips, etc.. d.).
Consider the main types and types of pipeline insulation:
- bituminous mastic. Such thermal insulators are made with various additives, which are mixed with the main material - bitumen. Additives can be of three types:
- Polymer.
- Minerals.
- Rubber.
Such additives provide protection against cracks and, exept this, improve adhesion to the surface of the gas pipe. And it is also worth noting, that bituminous mastics have proven themselves well at low temperatures.
- tape materials. Insulating tapes, usually, are made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (Pvc). Adhesive material is applied to one of the sides of such a tape at the production stage, by means of which there is an installation of a tape on the gas pipeline.
Depending on the design features of the pipeline and the region, in which it is laid, the following types of tape insulation are used:
- Ordinary.
- Reinforced (US).
- Very amplified (VUS).
Today, tape insulation is often used to protect gas pipelines, which is wound on pipes by means of the special device
The latter type of insulation is the most reliable and effective and is most often used to protect pipelines in populated areas.. VUS is resistant to aggressive corrosive influences and active chemicals.
VUS is carried out using the method of extrusion. Insulation of the pipe with extruded polyethylene is carried out to increase the protective functions of the pipeline. Insulation of pipes with extruded polyethylene is a very reliable protection option. Extruded tapes have excellent waterproofing properties and are installed on pipes, laid even in adverse climatic conditions.
Underground gas pipeline insulation
Gas pipeline insulation, located underground is necessary to prevent corrosion of pipes (due to moisture in the soil). exept this, it should be noted, that the insulation of gas pipes is necessary for the communication of protection against stray currents.
pay attention! Wandering currents occur in the case, if the pipeline passes close to roads and railways. As well as stray currents can occur in the ground due to the power cables laid in it.
Wandering currents have a detrimental effect on the walls of the pipeline, which leads to their rapid wear and destruction. Steel pipes are especially easily damaged by such currents, which may become unusable during the year of operation, in such cases, insulation of steel underground gas pipelines is mandatory. Otherwise, a gas leak may occur, which can lead to serious consequences.
Factory-insulated pipes are most often used for underground gas pipelines, example, from polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam is ideal for insulating underground gas pipelines (PPU). It should be noted, that there are two main ways to insulate gas pipes:
- preliminary pipe insulation (applying the insulator to the pipe in the factory);
- installation of insulating material after laying the communication.
Pipe, insulated with polyurethane foam at the stage of production, is considered a more reliable and durable solution. In order to ensure good waterproofing of the pipe, the upper layer of the protective shell is presented, usually, polyethylene.
And it is also worth noting another important advantage of such insulation - the ability to organize electronic control of the gas pipe. This is a very useful feature, which allows you to instantly detect a fault in the highway. Among other things, it is worth noting, that such pipes differ in rather democratic price. All the above advantages have allowed PPU insulated pipes to take a leading position in the construction market.
