Pipes and tubular conduits – Distinct layers – With intermediate insulation layer
Patent
1998-06-01
2000-02-22
Kashnikow, Andres
Pipes and tubular conduits
Distinct layers
With intermediate insulation layer
F16L 914
Patent
active
060268638
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an insulation system for a pipe or a container having a surface temperature which for shorter or longer periods is lower than the dew point temperature of the ambient air, and comprising an inner capillary-active slot between the surface of the pipe or the container and a surrounding heat insulating layer in which one or more capillary-active openings are provided which connect the inner side of the insulating layer with its outer side, so that condensed water can be transported by capillary action from the surface of the pipe or the container to the outer side of the insulating layer, from where it can evaporate into the ambient air.
EP patent No. 0 528 936 discloses an insulation system of the above kind, in which a water absorbing material is disposed within the inner capillary-active slot, which material extends out through a slot-shaped opening in the heat insulating layer onto the outer side of the insulating layer, and wholly or partly around it. The known insulation system is especially suited for insulating pipes for transport of cold media, such as cooling liquid. When condensation of water vapour takes place on the surface of such pipes, the condensed water will be absorbed in the inner water absorbing layer, and from there it will move out by capillary action into the outer water absorbing layer, from which it evaporates into the ambient air, the insulation system hereby becoming self-drying.
It has hitherto been presumed that the prerequisite of the known insulation system being capable of functioning is that at least a portion of the outer side of the outer water absorbing layer is in direct contact with the ambient air, so that free evaporation of condensed water can take place from this portion.
In cases in which it has been desired to cover the outer water absorbing layer with a protective layer, e.g. a plastic or metal sheath, the sheath material has consequently been provided with holes or slits.
For cooling installations e.g. for use in the food industry, it is required that the installations and associated cooling tubes and containers can be cleaned effectively, i.a. by pressure flushing. As a result, e.g. the food industry has been reluctant to use insulation systems of the above kind which are provided with an outer protective sheath with holes or slits.
According to the present invention an insulation system of the kind stated in the preamble is provided, which is characterized in that the outer side of the insulating layer is surrounded by a water-repellent membrane so as to form an outer slot between the outer side of the insulating layer and the membrane.
Provided that the water-repellent membrane is also completely water-proof and diffusion-proof, the present insulation system will theoretically be unnecessary. In practice it has, however, been found that it is impossible to provide a completely water-proof and diffusion-proof membrane even by use of a metal sheath, since it is impossible to make joints so as to be permanently tight.
The insulation system according to the invention allows water penetrating through leaks to diffuse out again, either through the leaks or through the water-repellent membrane, which in that case must be made of a material which is more or less diffusion-open. In case of pipes which are not exposed to the influence of water, the water-repellent membrane can be made of metal sheets, the system, as will appear from the following description, being "self-sealing" as regards minor leaks in joints. In case of pipes which are flushed, or in some other way are exposed to direct influence of water, the water-repellent membrane should be made of a diffusion-open material, since not inconsiderable amounts of water can penetrate through even small leaks in joints, whereas drying-out by diffusion through small holes proceeds much more slowly.
The invention is based on a novel physical (hygrothermic) discovery to the effect that by means of the capillary sucking property of a wick substance it is possible to build up a water vapou
REFERENCES:
patent: 4745760 (1988-05-01), Porter
patent: 5296287 (1994-03-01), Ribbans
patent: 5520009 (1996-05-01), Jepsen et al.
patent: 5690147 (1997-11-01), Cridland et al.
Hwu Davis
Hygrowick-International APS
Kashnikow Andres
LandOfFree
Insulation system and a method of providing an insulation system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Insulation system and a method of providing an insulation system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Insulation system and a method of providing an insulation system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-513241