When a water pipe is located in confined / unheated rooms, where the ambient temperature can drop to 0˚C, it can have the consequence that the water freezes, the water pipe expands and thus cracks.
Important mechanical properties
The mechanical properties are important, but at the same time they must withstand high thermal loads. In large industrial plants where e.g. liquefied gas (LNG / LPG), ethylene and ammonia, which are used in numerous industrial processes, there are some temperature fluctuations. Insulation must withstand these, as the temperature of the medium must be kept constant in the pipeline. If temperature variations occur, it may cause the medium to become unusable. The insulation material should not conduct the cold from the inside out and the outside temperature should not heat the medium in the pipe.
The winter year means cold, which in turn means challenges for the insulator. He must know how the pipe is to be insulated, know what temperature has the medium flowing through the pipe and not least over how far the medium is to be transported through the pipe.
If the pipelines are insufficiently insulated or incorrectly insulated, the consequences can be high energy loss, variations in the process and in extreme cases total failure in the industrial plant which in turn leads to high costs due to emissions of highly flammable gases.
Condensation control against corrosion
As soon as the surface temperature of the pipe falls below the current ambient temperature, condensation occurs, which almost always causes corrosion. The task of insulation is to counteract this in a safe way and prevent condensation from occurring at all. Therefore, the insulation materials must have high water vapor diffusion resistance. Condensation also leads to mold growth and thus reduces the efficiency of the equipment.
Choose the right insulation and thus avoid negative consequences
Cellular rubber products such as Kaiflex® KKplus or Armaflex® AF / N have a low λ value (thermal conductivity), a high µ value (water vapor diffusion resistance) and a closed cell structure. These standard products are particularly suitable in temperature ranges with an operating temperature of -50 ° C to +110 (+85) ° C. The areas of use are therefore mainly limited to plumbing areas, where ducts and pipes are to be insulated.