Innovations are not only possible in the „high tec“ area
Since several centuries regardless of the insulation purpose the same techniques have been used for cold or hot temperature insulation or for simple contact safety only. The medium pipe will be installed on site and then the insulator will do the required insulation. For long distance runs of insulated pipes this technique has meanwhile become questionable.
In companies which have to install long distance piping such as the chemical and petrochemical industry a more modern technique is increasingly gaining acceptance. The composit pipe systems which have been successfully introduced in the years 1970 to 1980 for underground installations had model character for this new technology.
The principle is as simple as it is convincing. A carrier pipe irrespective of its material is lined with polyurethane foam in the factory. The outer protective jacket consists of a spirally wound pipe as normally used in the field of air-conditioning installations. This jacketing connects very well to the carrier pipe due to the high bonding strength of the PU foam.
The use of metal sheeting for the outer casing has the advantage that such material is known to the insulator on site and in addition can be well combined with the conventional insulating technology.
The HDPE jacketing as mostly used for the underground pipe technology did not gain acceptance for the open air installations due to its UV instability.
For the open air installations following outer casing alloys are in use:
- Seawater resistant Aluminium, mostly AlMg3
- Aluminium-Zinc
- Stainless Steel, mostly 316
- Galvanised sheeting's
Contrary to the use in the air venting industry it needs to be mentioned that the spiral piping for the outer jacketing is manufactured in such way that the lock runs on the inside of the piping in order to avoid raptures of the same during installation work. This way the pipe surface is rather smooth and can be well connected with insulation-work necessary to be done on site.
Thus the following advantages can be achieved:
- Less scaffolding and less time because of the combined installation of piping and insulation.
- Long lasting and step resistant insulation.
- Mounting and supporting clamps are attached to the outer casing which means no moisture intrusion i.e. no corrosion danger and no temperature bridges.
- Less insulation diameter for equal insulation values.
- Possibility to combine this new technology with the conventional insulation technique.
The requirements on the material for the outer jacketing and the build up of the insulation differ strongly and are depending on the technical specifications of the customer.
Water and/or steam heatings have also been manufactured in a similar way.
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