Pipe insulation solutions

Introduction:

Pipe insulation is a crucial solution for maintaining the desired temperature of the substance flowing through a pipeline. It is widely used in hot oil transmission lines, district heating systems, district cooling systems and deepwater pipeline projects. Selmers offers advanced insulation solutions that include polyurethane foam (PUF) and polypropylene (PP) foam. These materials are designed to ensure high thermal efficiency and provide excellent protection for pipelines in a variety of environments. For specific applications, glass-reinforced synthetic PP (PP reinforced with glass fiber spheres) is also used as an alternative to standard PP foam for added strength.

• Polyurethane Foam (PUF) Insulation: PUF is commonly used in hot oil transmission lines and district heating and cooling systems. It provides effective thermal insulation, helping to maintain the temperature of the substances being transported through the pipeline.
• Polypropylene (PP) Foam Insulation: PP foam is used for deepwater pipeline projects, offering high thermal insulation and resistance to harsh underwater conditions.
• Glass Synthetic PP (Glass Fiber-Reinforced PP) Foam: In certain cases, glass synthetic PP is used instead of traditional PP foam to enhance the material’s strength and resistance, especially in challenging environments like deepwater applications.

Solution:

Selmers provides a range of coating and insulation systems designed for effective temperature control in pipelines. The insulation systems include multi-layer coatings and injection processes tailored to meet the specific needs of each project.

• PU Foam Insulation: In the pipe-in-pipe application, the inner pipe is insulated by filling the space between the pipes with polyurethane foam (PUF). Another application method involves spraying PUF onto a rotating pipe with the option for additional mechanical protection.
• PP Foam Insulation: For deepwater pipeline projects, a multi-layer coating with PP foam is applied to provide high thermal insulation. In some cases, glass synthetic PP, which is reinforced with glass fiber spheres, is used as an alternative to standard PP foam.
• Multi-Layer Coating Systems: A 3-layer polypropylene coating, followed by multiple layers of PP foam, ensures that the pipe achieves the necessary anti-corrosion and insulating characteristics. A final mechanical protection layer of solid PP is added to complete the coating.

Key Features:

• Effective Thermal Insulation: Both PU foam and PP foam offer superior thermal insulation, ensuring that the pipeline maintains the desired temperature, whether for hot oil transmission or district heating.
• Tailored Solutions for Deepwater Projects: PP foam, particularly when reinforced with glass fibers, is specifically designed for use in deepwater pipeline applications, providing high resistance to external pressures and harsh marine environments.
• Flexible Application Methods: Depending on the project, PUF can be applied using the pipe-in-pipe method or by spraying it directly onto a rotating pipe, offering versatility in insulation application.
• Enhanced Mechanical Protection: The final layer of mechanical protection, typically using solid PP, ensures that the insulation remains intact during handling, installation, and operation.

Benefits:

• Improved Thermal Efficiency: Both PUF and PP foam provide excellent thermal insulation, reducing heat loss and maintaining the correct temperature for the substances being transported.
• Long-Term Durability: The insulation solutions offered by Selmers are designed to last, ensuring long-term protection of pipelines even in harsh environments such as deepwater or extreme temperature conditions.
• Customization: Selmers’ insulation systems are customizable to suit the specific requirements of each project, including pipe diameter, insulation thickness, and environmental conditions.
• Protection Against Environmental Factors: The insulation materials help protect pipelines from external environmental factors, such as water pressure in subsea environments or extreme temperatures in district heating applications.

How it Works:

Selmers offers three primary methods for applying pipe insulation:

1. Pipe-in-Pipe Application: This method consists of an inner pipe and an outer jacket, with the space between them filled with polyurethane foam (PUF). This provides a uniform layer of insulation around the pipeline.
2. Spraying Method: PUF can also be sprayed onto a rotating pipe. This method can include an optional additional mechanical protection layer, ensuring the insulation is well-protected during installation and operation.
3. Extrustion method: For deepwater pipeline projects, a single or multi-stage extruded PP foam coating is wrapped over the initial 3-layer PP anti-corrosion coating, followed by an extruded top layer wrap of solid PP.

The Full Scope:

• PU Foam Coating:
  • PUF injectors for efficient foam application.
  • Spray booth for precise foam application.
  • Jacket system (e.g., spiro or PE tubes) for pipe-in-pipe applications.
  • PE extruder for PUF application.
• PP Foam Coating:
  • Extruders with gravimetric feeding systems to ensure accurate foam application.
  • Extruder for applying the top layer of polypropylene (PP).
  • Quenching system for cooling and solidifying the coating.
• Optional:
  • Selmers Plant Management System (SPMS) for efficient plant operation and automation.

Conclusion:

Selmers’ pipe insulation solutions, including PU foam and PP foam systems, provide effective thermal insulation for pipelines in various industries. Whether for hot oil transmission, district heating, or deepwater pipeline projects, our advanced insulation materials ensure temperature maintenance, energy efficiency, and long-term durability. With customizable application methods and robust protection against environmental factors, Selmers is your trusted partner for high-performance pipe insulation systems.

Innovate better together!

By mutual learning, we have grown to who we are today. A trustworthy supplier of a multitude of automated solutions. Do you want to optimize performance and reduce risks? Send an email to sales@selmers.com or call +31 (0)251 211 999, or fill in a contact form via www.selmers.com/contact and we’ll get back to you.