Pipeline insulation. Thermal insulation of equipment and pipelines

At the heart of every technological process is economic efficiency, which is influenced by a combination of many factors. One of such moments, which is important for many industries (chemical, oil refining, metallurgical, food, housing and communal services and many others), is the thermal insulation of equipment and pipelines. On an industrial scale, it is used on horizontal and vertical apparatuses, storage tanks for various liquids, in various exchangers and pumps. The use of cryogenic and low-temperature equipment is highlighted with particularly high requirements for thermal insulation. The power industry uses insulating elements for the operation of all types of boilers and turbines, chimneys, storage tanks and various types of heat exchangers. Depending on the area of application, they are subject to certain requirements, which are included in the SNiP. Thermal insulation of pipelines ensures the preservation of the invariance of the specified parameters, under which technological processes occur, as well as their safety, reduces losses.

General information

Thermal insulation - one of the most common types of protection, found its application in virtually all industries. Thanks to it, accident-free operation of most objects posing a threat to human health or the environment is provided. There are certain requirements for material selection and installation. They are collected in SNiP. Pipeline insulation must comply with the regulations, since the normal functioning of many systems depends on this. Virtually all requirements listed in the documentation are mandatory. In most cases, thermal insulation of heat pipes is a key factor for the smooth operation and operation of energy facilities, housing and communal services and industry. Additional quality, which is the thermal insulation of pipelines, is to ensure the requirements applied in the field of energy conservation. Competent isolation of pipelines performed by all standards allows to reduce heat losses during its transfer from the supplier to the end user (for example, when providing hot water supply services in the housing and communal services system), which in turn reduces the overall energy costs.

Requirements for structures

Installation and operation of the thermal insulation facilities directly depend on their purpose and location. There are a number of factors affecting the thermal insulation materials. These include temperature, humidity, mechanical and other effects. To date, certain requirements have been adopted and approved, in accordance with which the calculation of insulation of pipelines and subsequent installation is carried out. They are considered basic, their accounting is the base for the construction of structures. In particular, they include:

- safety in relation to the environment;

- fire hazard, reliability and durability of materials from which the construction is made;

- Thermal performance.

To the parameters characterizing the operational properties of thermal insulation materials, some physical quantities are referred to. This is thermal conductivity, compressibility, elasticity, density, vibration resistance. Importantly and have flammability, resistance to the influence of aggressive factors, the insulation thickness of pipelines and a number of other parameters.

Thermal conductivity of material

The coefficient of thermal conductivity of raw materials, from which insulation is made, determines the efficiency of the entire structure. Based on its value, the necessary thickness of the future material is calculated. This in turn affects the amount of load that will be provided from the side of the heat insulator to the object. When calculating the value of the coefficient take into account the whole set of factors that have a direct impact on it. The final value affects the choice of material, the way it is laid, the necessary thickness to achieve maximum effect. It also takes into account the temperature resistance, the degree of deformation at a given load, the permissible load that the material will add to the insulated structure, and much more.

Life time

The operational period of thermal insulation structures is different and depends on the many factors directly influencing it. These include, in particular, the location of the object and the weather conditions, the presence / absence of mechanical influence on the thermal insulation structure. These factors, which are of key importance, affect the durability of the structure. Increase the service life helps to apply additional special coating, which significantly reduces the level of exposure from the environment.

Fire safety requirements

Fire safety standards are defined for each of the industries. For example, for gas, petrochemical, chemical industries, heat-insulating structures are allowed to use hard or incombustible materials. At the same time, the chosen parameters are influenced not only by the indicated indices of the selected substance, but also by the behavior of the thermal insulation structure in the event of a general fire. Increased fire resistance is achieved by applying an additional coating, resistant to high temperatures.

Sanitary and hygienic requirements for structures

When designing objects within which specific technological processes with increased requirements for sterility and purity (for example, for the pharmaceutical industry) must take place, certain norms play a leading role. It is important for such premises to use materials that do not affect air pollution. The situation is similar for housing and communal services. Pipeline insulation is carried out in strict accordance with established norms, while reliability and safety of use must be ensured.

Domestic manufacturers of protective materials

The market of thermal insulation materials is diverse and able to meet the needs of any buyer. Here is the product Both import and domestic producers. Russian companies are engaged in the production of the following types of insulation materials:

- mats, which are sewn from both sides fiberglass, in the plates of mineral wool or kraft paper;

- mineral wool products on the basis of corrugated structure (with its help the industrial isolation of pipelines is carried out);

- mineral wool boards on a synthetic basis;

- products based on glass staple synthetic fibers.

The largest producers of thermal insulation materials are: OJSC Termosteps, Nazarovsky ZTI, Mineral Vata (CJSC), OAO URSA-Eurasia.

Foreign material producers

The products of foreign companies are also represented on the market of heat-insulating materials. Notable among them are: "Partek", "Rockwool" (Denmark), "Paroc" (Finland), "Izomat" (Slovakia), "San Goben Isover" (Finland). All of them specialize in different types and combinations of fibrous insulating materials. The most common are mats, cylinders and plates that can be uncoated or coated on one side (for example, aluminum foil can be used as it).

Rubber and polystyrene materials

The widest distribution of foam plastic insulation materials was casting polyurethane foam. It is used in two forms: in the form of tiled products and spraying, it is used mainly for protection in low-temperature production. Its developer is the Research Institute of Synthetic Resins (in Vladimir), and its subsidiary is Izolan CJSC. Isolation of pipelines is made and materials on a synthetic basis. In this case, equipment subjected to negative and positive ambient temperatures is protected. The main suppliers of such materials are the firms "L'ISOLANTE K-FLEX" and "Armacell". Looks such insulation as tubes (cylinders) or plate-sheet products.