In the absence of thermal insulation for pipes it is impossible to rationally transport the coolant through the main pipeline and the branched system without lowering the temperature. But not only the heating network needs thermal insulation, any medium freezes in metal pipes in the cold, especially on the surface. Insulation of the pipeline promotes the rational use of heat during its transportation and redistribution. For the correct thermal insulation of various sections of communications it is important to choose the right material - for maximum protection of pipes from temperature fluctuations in the carrier.
Thermal insulation is an important point in the installation of water supply systems, heating and sewerage
Reasons for pipeline insulation
Many do not understand, why do you need thermal insulation for pipes, laid on the ground and outdoors. With the transportation of coolants, everything is clear - hot water should not cool down when delivered to the consumer. In this case, the term "thermal insulation" is more appropriate. But not only hot water supply must be protected from cooling.
Conventional plumbing forms condensate on the surface at contrasting temperatures, and also freezes in winter, especially at extreme thermometer readings. This often happens in the aboveground part of the old columns, arranged in the private sector and rural areas. In this case, the frozen water is heated with a blowtorch or other means.
Low air temperatures oblige to maintain the thermal performance of the coolant when supplied to facilities. Insulate all types of pipes, regardless of the material:
- metal;
- metal-plastic;
- plastic;
- polymeric;
- composite.
It is interesting! In cold climates there is not enough traditional insulation of communications on that part, which goes on the surface of the earth. In Scandinavia, offered to heat the steps of houses and shops, sidewalks and pipes for the heating network with Nexans heating cable. Gradually, this useful experience is taking root in the territory of the Russian Federation.
Not only household pipelines are covered with thermal insulation, but also highways for industrial purposes
In the private sector, there is a need for pipe insulation for a variety of reasons:
- communications are connected to different buildings;
- part of the heating main goes down the street outside the premises;
- heating the coolant in a remote common boiler room;
- closed loop heating, through all the buildings in the backyard with different functionality and temperature inside (basement, garage, loft, bath).
In some areas additional protection of pipes in thermal insulation is required. The reasons are hooliganism and acts of vandalism, visiting the territory by wild animals or cattle. For this purpose use an additional winding with sheet iron and a steel rod.
Basic requirements for insulating materials for pipes
The rounded shape of the pipe provides a large area, in contact with the external environment. Due to this, the coolant inside the communications cools down relatively quickly. And the wider the pipe, especially heat dissipation, therefore the thought-over thermal insulation of pipes is simply necessary.
Important requirements for thermal insulation structures:
- dense porous material, not absorbing water;
- reliable protection against external influences and aggressive environments;
- counteracting overheating of the pipeline inside and freezing outside;
- long service life, regardless, used external method of installation of communications - underground or channel.
The following requirements are set for thermal protection for cold communications:
- light weight at residual density;
- fire resistance (non-combustible base);
affordable and fast installation; - cheap repair and dismantling;
- low price.
Easy installation is one of the essential requirements for thermal insulation material
thermal insulation options
Communications for the transportation of cold liquid media need additional protection. Even the most primitive pipe insulation prevents condensation, keeping the highway from corrosion and freezing. Protected pipes are less damaged by changes in pressure inside the pipeline, noise from the movement of the working environment is reduced at times.
Foam insulation. Thanks to the closed light air bubbles excellent thermal insulation turns out. These products are offered in the form of convenient tubes or covers, covering a pipe of any diameter. They are produced from various raw materials - rubber, polyurethane or polystyrene. Such insulation is easy to put on sections of the pipeline, because they have a ready longitudinal incision.
Advice! At independent arrangement of similar thermal insulation try to process end faces on cuts with any suitable assembly glue.
Minvata and fiberglass. Insulation is available in different forms, depending on the application. For pipes the most convenient cylindrical thermal insulation from basalt wool. But for all the advantages of the material, it has considerable value. Under the thermal insulation for pipes in the basement provides a winding of sheet material with strapping cord or construction tape.
- Glass wool or fiberglass-based insulation is made of quartz sand. It provides protection of the skin of the hands and face when laying the material. This base is not used for very hot pipes due to low efficiency.
- Basalt wool is produced from mineral raw materials, therefore in catalogs it is often possible to see the name "Minvata". Basalt insulation has a wide range of applications in construction, as it has proved itself well at isolation of pipes with the hot environment. Example, these are chimneys with an internal temperature of up to +650 ° C, but even when overheated, the material is non-toxic and virtually harmless.
Warning! In most countries, fiberglass and fiberglass are not available, as it is considered harmful to health and obsolete material. We continue to use it in the old way (on external structures) - because of the affordable price and unacceptable for the reproduction of living environment under isolation. But for such material the external covering - from roofing material or foil is by all means necessary.
If it is decided to insulate pipes with mineral wool, it is better to take a material with a factory external covering, which is impervious to moisture
Foil insulation. It has a reflective layer, which reduces heat transfer. Processing of pipes by this material does not demand special knowledge ??technology, therefore, the work is easy to do even for a layman.
Styrofoam and extruded polystyrene foam. These are related materials. For GVP pipes of routes at underground laying and one property is important - water tightness. Polyfoam has such a property only in part, therefore, it is more suitable for overhead communications and intermediate connection and branching of heating mains. The modern form of release is semi-cylindrical, which is very convenient for "coverage" of the insulated pipe. Styrofoam half-cylinders are better known as "shell", which is widely used for pre-insulated pipes (with ready isolation). This is a versatile and durable material with extremely low thermal conductivity, it is easy to stack, is relatively inexpensive.
For communications in attics it is better to use sprayed expanded polystyrene. It is applied by the special device for processing of surfaces by two-component mix. This thermal insulation for pipes has excellent protective properties.
Penofol. This is a double self-adhesive foil insulation based on polyethylene foam, in which small air pores are closed. The layer of reflective foil has protection against excessive adhesion and an adhesive layer.
Rubber insulation. It is also available in the form of tubes or half-cylinders made of foamed material. The main advantage is elasticity, therefore, they are often used in complex geometry of pipelines. Universal insulation with the longest service life, but requires tightness of the joint.
Foam insulation requires careful sealing at the joints
It is interesting! Attempts to create unique materials based on natural and synthetic rubber last longer 150 years. But the material was not widely used due to its high cost, however, it is well appreciated by experts, due to exceptional dielectric properties.
Features of use of heaters in specific conditions
Insulation of pipes must be carried out taking into account environmental conditions.
- When insulating communications in the attic should be considered, that this is a room with high humidity and breathability. At sharp cooling negative temperature is possible, therefore it is important to exclude "cold bridges". Basalt wool and sprayed expanded polystyrene are ideal. It is important to additionally provide quality vapor barrier for the attic.
- Aluminum foil is not used separately as thermal insulation due to its high thermal conductivity. But as an additional layer or surface winding makes it possible to optimize the preservation of the temperature of the coolant.
- Installation of thermal insulation of pipes at arrangement of easy country buildings on unstable soils demands, to make all materials as light as possible, including insulation. Example, basalt wool is heavier than quartz counterparts, and it is rightly called "stone" wool. The lightest insulation is polyfoam.
- For independent thermal insulation of a private house and its communications, the easiest way to work with pre-insulated pipes and self-adhesive insulation. It is recommended to use an additional winding to eliminate the shortcomings in the work, example, aluminum tape.
- Rigid semi-cylindrical insulators are designed for a pipe of a certain shape, therefore it is problematic to use them on narrower or wider pipes.
- When choosing a material for thermal insulation of pipes in adjacent areas (between heating systems, plumbing and smoke removal) experts recommend minwata in any convenient form of release.
It is easy to insulate the pipeline, but the effect of such actions depends largely on the correct choice of material and quality of installation. If everything is done correctly, then you can not worry about the efficiency of the highway for many years.
