Pipes and tubular conduits – Distinct layers – With intermediate insulation layer
Patent
1996-08-26
1997-11-25
Brinson, Patrick
Pipes and tubular conduits
Distinct layers
With intermediate insulation layer
138147, 138151, F16L 914
Patent
active
056901470
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to the technical field of insulation. More precisely, the present invention relates to a technique involving insulating a surface of a tubular body by means of a heat-insulating body or layer which tubular body is exposed to accumulating condensed water such as a pipe having a surface temperature at or below the dew point of the ambient air.
In numerous applications, a body is kept at a temperature at or below the dew point of the ambient air, which body may e.g. constitute a pipe of a freezing or refrigerator system or of an air-conditioning system, or a pipe supplying cold water. Alternatively, the body may e.g. constitute a structure of a building which is exposed to a low temperature from the environment, whereas, in the present context, the ambient air refers to the heated air of the building, which ambient air is typically heated to a temperature above the temperature of the environment. The ambient air also contains an increased amount of moisture as compared to the environment. Furthermore, it has been realized that even heat-insulating layers of pipes conducting heated water may in some instances be exposed to accumulating water as described in an article in the Norwegian magazine "Kulde" No. 5, October 1993, including a special issue relating to the technical field: "Teknisk Isolation" or in English language: "Technical insulating technique", page 4-6. According to the realization described in the above magazine, pipes normally conducting heated water or even steam may, provided the pipes are covered by an insulating layer and providing the pipe and the insulating layer are exposed to the environment such as rain, snow, fog, etc., generate accumulation of condensed water within the insulating layer under certain conditions such as reduced flow of hot water or steam through the pipe causing cooling of the pipe and exposure of the insulating layer to rain or snow. In the below description, reference is, however, solely made to a body having a surface temperature at or below the dew point of the ambient air which, however, is by no means to be construed limiting the technical field of the present invention to insulating surfaces of bodies having surface temperatures at or below the dew point of the ambient air and excluding equivalent technical areas such as the above described pipes conducting hot water or steam which as described above, may also give origin to the accumulation of condensed water within the heat-insulating layer of the pipes. The insulating layer may comprise mineral wool, such as glass wool, rock wool or slag wool, or may alternatively comprise foamed plastics or elastomeric materials, such as closed or open cells of foamed material, e.g. polyurethane foam, or may further alternatively comprise combinations of the materials mentioned above.
Hitherto, it has been attempted to block transfer of moisture from the ambient air to the body in question having a surface temperature at or below the dew point of the ambient air by providing a moisture-transfer blocking foil, such as an aluminum or plastic foil, which serves to block the diffusion of moisture into the insulating layer and further into contact with the surface of the body having a surface temperature at or below the dew point of the ambient air.
Various problems, however, occur, such as problems relating to foil junctions and perforation of the foil constituting the moisture or water transport-blocking barrier, and these problems in some instances, in particular in connection with non-water repellent products or materials, result in moisture penetrating into the insulating layer and causing generation of condensed water at the surface of the body. The generation of condensed water at the surface of the body, firstly, results in a reduction of the insulating property of the insulating layer, and may, secondly, cause corrosion and/or deterioration of the surface of the body or of the body itself and/or of the insulating layer.
From international patent application No. PCT/DK91/00132, publication No
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5421371 (1995-06-01), Lauer
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Oct. 1993, Teknisk Isolation; Klide, Wetting of outdoor pipe conduits of mineral wool of results in large losses of energy; Paulrud, Kaefer Isoleringsteknikk A/S; pp. 4-6 (English translation included).
Cridland Ian
Ettema A. M.
Jepsen Kjeld
Petersen Joergen Skjold
Brinson Patrick
Rockwool International A/S
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