GB2539595A

GB2539595A - Insulation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2539595A
Application number: GB1616611.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ashton Paul; Ashton Colin
Original assignee: Powertherm Contract Services Ltd
Current assignee: Powertherm Contract Services Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-30
Filing date: 2016-09-30
Publication date: 2016-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-30
Also published as: GB2563498A; GB201517280D0; GB2539595B; GB2563498B; GB201616611D0; GB201808324D0

Abstract

An insulation assembly for a conduit comprises a conduit 12, insulation material 14 which substantially surrounds the conduit, a shell which encases the insulation material 14, and a support arrangement 18 between the shell and the conduit 12. The support arrangement 18 maintains a void between the shell and the insulation material 14 and comprises elongate members 22 extending radially between the shell and the conduit. A support portion 28 can be used to support the shell, and it can feature a first 28a and second 28b part, wherein the ends of each part overlap those of the other part, and are attached so as to form a joint. The elongate member 22 can extend from the conduit to the support portion 28 and can comprise a pair of elongate members 22 on opposite sides of the conduit 12, or two pairs, with the members of each pair on opposing sides of the conduit 12. Methods of installing include fitting the support assembly to the conduit 12, fitting the insulation 14 to the conduit 12 and then fitting the shell about the conduit 12 such that there is a void between the shell and the insulation 14.

Description

Insulation apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insulation apparatus for a conduit, a kit for installing insulation material on a conduit, and a method of installing an insulation apparatus or a shell on a conduit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common to transport substances around plants such as petrochemical plants in pipes or conduits. It is also common to insulate such pipes in order to reduce heat loss, in particular where the pipes are located outside. The pipes are commonly laid along the ground, so are often stepped on. The pipes and their insulation are therefore protected, for example by a layer of cladding surrounding the insulation material.

However, the cladding can become damaged, for example breached or dented, when stepped on or otherwise interfered with. Damage can, in turn, be caused to the adjacent insulation material. The effectiveness of the insulation can thus be reduced. Importantly, damage to the cladding can also allow liquid such as rainwater to enter the cladding. Once inside the cladding, liquid is absorbed by the insulation material, so is held against the pipe. Corrosion of the pipe under the insulation material can occur due to the moisture, potentially leading to dangerous and costly leaks from the pipe, and also to increased maintenance and repair costs.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an insulation assembly for a conduit comprising a conduit; insulation material configured to substantially surround a perimeter of the conduit; a shell configured to encase the insulation material; and a support arrangement between the shell and the conduit. The support arrangement is configured to maintain a void between the shell and the insulation material.

The void between the shell and the insulation material inhibits damage being caused to the insulation material when the shell is damaged. In addition, any liquid that may enter the shell, e.g. water, is not held against the conduit by the insulation material, thus reducing the likelihood of corrosion of the conduit under the insulation material. The apparatus makes the shell less susceptible to damage, as the shell is supported via the conduit rather than by the insulation material as in the prior art.

The support arrangement may comprise at least one elongate member extending radially between the shell and the conduit. This provides a simple and effective means of maintaining the void between the shell and the insulation material.

The support arrangement may comprise a support portion configured to support the shell. The support portion provides support and rigidity to the shell. The support portion may comprise a first part and a second part, wherein ends of each part may overlap those of the other part and be attached so as to form a joint. The support portion is thus easily fitted about the conduit, and strong joints are formed.

The support arrangement may comprise at least one elongate member extending radially between the shell and the support portion. The support arrangement may comprise two such elongate members opposing one another on either side of the conduit. The support arrangement may comprise two or more pairs of such elongate members, the members of each pair opposing one another on either side of the conduit.

The support portion and the elongate member(s) provide a strong support for the conduit and the shell. Advantageously, this support arrangement can be made use of at a mounting point for the conduit, the strength and rigidity of the support arrangement making the use of additional brackets unnecessary and thus saving costs and increasing the ease of installation The radial thickness of the void may be between 5% and 70% of the radial distance between the shell and the conduit. The radial thickness of the void may be between 15% and 50% of the radial distance between the shell and the conduit. The radial thickness of the void may be between 20% and 40% of the radial distance between the shell and the conduit. The radial thickness of the void may be between 25% and 35% of the radial distance between the shell and the conduit.

Such proportions provide a void of a suitable thickness to provide protection to the insulation material and allow vapour to avoid the insulation material.

The conduit may be annular in cross-section, and the conduit diameter may be between 21mm and 2000mm. The conduit diameter may be between 34mm and 1000mm. The conduit diameter may be between 34mm and 406mm.

The support arrangement may comprise a cap fitted over an end ofthe or each elongate member proximal the conduit. The cap may be of plastics material. The cap is preferably of thermally insulating plastics material, reducing heat loss from the conduit. The cap may be of nonconducting plastic, improving safety. For example, the cap may be of silicone.

The shell may define at least one aperture configured to allow the exit of fluid from the shell. Such an aperture allows liquid and/or vapour to leave the shell, advantageously reducing the risk of corrosion due to liquid under the insulation.

There is also provided a kit for installing a shell on a conduit, the kit comprising a shell configured to encase insulation material and a support arrangement configured to support the shell around a conduit; wherein the support arrangement is configured to maintain a void between the shell and insulation material surrounding a conduit.

The support arrangement may comprise a support portion configured to support the shell. The support portion provides support and rigidity to the shell.

The support portion may comprise a first part and a second part, wherein ends of each part may overlap those of the other part and be attached so as to form a joint. The support portion is thus easily fitted about a conduit, and strong joints are formed.

The support portion may be supported by at least one elongate member extending radially between the shell and the support portion. The support portion may be supported by two such elongate members opposing one another on either side of the conduit. The support portion may be supported by two or more pairs of such elongate members, the members of each pair opposing one another on either side of the conduit.

The support portion and the elongate member(s) provide a strong support for the conduit and the shell. Advantageously, this support arrangement can be made use of at a mounting point for the conduit, the strength and rigidity of the support arrangement making the use of additional brackets unnecessary and thus saving costs and increasing the ease of installation.

The apparatus avoids penetration of the insulation material by a support arrangement, thus further reducing the risk of moisture ingress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an insulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the insulation apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an isometric view of a support arrangement of the insulation apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS)

Figures 1 and 2 show an insulation apparatus for a conduit generally indicated at 10. In this embodiment, the insulation apparatus 10 is suitable for a conduit in the form of a pipe 12 of annular cross-section, though the insulation apparatus may be adapted for use with a conduit of some other cross-section, for example square or rectangular, e.g. when the conduit is a duct.

In this embodiment, the pipe 12 outer diameter is 34mm, though the insulation apparatus 10 may easily be adapted for use with a conduit of some other diameter.

The insulation apparatus 10 includes insulation material 14 that surrounds or at least substantially surrounds the pipe 12 in order to provide thermal insulation, so that heat loss from the pipe 12 is inhibited. The insulation material 14 is a foam or other suitable material. A shell 16 of cladding material encases the insulation material 14, so that the insulation material 14 is protected from damage. The shell 16 of this embodiment is of a suitable metal, such as aluminium, or may be galvanised or of Aluzincml or of stainless steel. The shell 16 may be perforated, or may be substantially solid, with or without vents as described below.

A support arrangement 18 provides support for the shell 16. The support arrangement 18 extends between the pipe 12 and the shell 16, so that the shell 16 is located in relation to the pipe 12. The support arrangement 18 is configured to locate the shell 16 such that there is a void 20 between the shell 16 and the insulation material 14. The shell 16 is in this embodiment annular, and substantially concentric with the pipe 12. The void 20 is therefore annular, extending around the full perimeter of the insulation material N. The void 20 provides additional protection to the insulation material 14. Should the shell 16 be deformed, for example by being trodden on, the void 20 allows a certain amount of deformation of the shell 16 before the insulation material 14 is crushed or deformed. If the shell 16 is perforated, allowing liquid such as rainwater to enter the shell 16, the liquid will collect at the lowest point of the shell 16 and will not be absorbed by the insulation material.

This is in contrast to the prior art, where a shell is adjacent insulation material without an intermediate void, any liquid that enters the shell must be absorbed by the insulation material. Additionally, the apparatus 10 allows liquid absorbed by the insulation material 14 to evaporate into the void 20. Again, this is not possible with the prior art, where there is no void. In many applications the pipe 12 will be at a relatively high temperature, thus warming the insulation material 14 and facilitating evaporation.

The shell 16 defines one or more apertures 34 configured to allow fluid to leave the shell 16. The aperture 34 of this embodiment is at the lowest point of the shell 16, as shown in Figure 2, in order to allow liquid to drain from the shell 16. Other apertures 34 may be provided at other points around the perimeter of the shell 16, allowing vapour to leave the shell 16. Once again, this is advantageous over the prior art, where liquid is trapped by the insulation material 14.

The support arrangement 18 of this embodiment has a support portion 28 configured to contact the inside of the shell 16. In this embodiment, where the conduit is a pipe 12, the support portion is an annulus or ring 28 supported by elongate members 22 extending between the ring 28 and the pipe 12. The ring 28 surrounds the pipe 12 and shares a common longitudinal axis, so that the ring 28 and the pipe 12 are concentric. In alternative embodiments, where the conduit is not annular, the support portion is of some other suitable shape corresponding to the interior of the conduit.

Figure 3 shows the ring 28 in a disassembled state. The ring 28 of this embodiment has first and second portions 28a, 28b which are in this embodiment of stainless steel, which provides the necessary rigidity. In an alternative embodiment the first and second portions 28a, 28b are of galvanised metal. The ring portions 28a, 28b are identical to one another, each having a curved rectangular body 29 with a tongue 30, 32 at each end. In this embodiment the tongues 30, 32 are rectangular, though in alternative embodiments they may be of some other suitable shape.

The bodies 29 of the ring portions fit together to form the ring 28, as shown in Figure 1. The tongues 30, 32 of each ring portion 28a, 28b overlap the body 29 of the other ring portion 28b, 28a, so that the ring 28 is stable and rigid. As shown in Figure 1, the tongues 30 of the first ring portion 28a lie inside the second ring portion 28b. The tongues 32 of the second ring portion 28b lie outside the first ring portion 28a. In an alternative embodiment the ring portions 28a, 28b may be arranged in some other suitable manner. For example, one tongue of one ring portion lies inside and the other tongue lies outside of another ring portion.

The ring portions 28a, 28b are fastened together to form the ring 28. In this embodiment the ring portions 28a, 28b are rivetted to one another, for example with pop type rivets. Apertures 36 are provided in the tongues 30, 32 and in the corresponding parts of the bodies 29 for the insertion of rivets.

The shell 16 is fastened to the ring 28. In this embodiment, the shell 16 is bolted (i.e. screwed or riveted) to the ring 28, though alternative suitable fastening arrangements may be used. Bolts (not shown) extend through the shell 16 and the ring 28. In this embodiment, bolts extend through the ring 28 at the overlap of the tongues 30, 32, i.e. where the ring 28 is strongest.

In this embodiment, the elongate members are stainless steel bolts 22. The bolts 22 extend radially from the ring 28 to the pipe 12. In this embodiment, the support arrangement 18 has four bolts 22 arranged in pairs opposing one another on either side of the pipe 12. In other embodiments the support arrangement 18 has alternative suitable numbers of bolts 22.

In this embodiment, threaded bosses (not shown) are attached to the inside of the ring 28 at a corresponding aperture (not shown), in order to receive and secure the bolts 22. The bosses are attached to the ring 28 with a rivet press machine. Washers 26 are welded to the inside of the ring 28 where each bolt 22 meets the ring 28. In alternative embodiments, no washers 26 are used. Once the ring portions 28a, 28b are fastened together, the bolts 22 are inserted into the bosses and tightened until the ring 28 is securely located against the pipe 12.

Each bolt 22 is capped at its end proximal the pipe 12 with a cap 24. The caps 24 are of a non-conductive, thermally insulating material such as a suitable plastics material. In this embodiment the caps 24 are of silicone. The caps 24 ensure that there is no metal-metal contact between the pipe 12 and the shell 16, reducing heat loss from the pipe 12 and reducing the risk of galvanic corrosion.

The bolts 22 ensure that the supportive ring 28 keeps the shell 16 securely in position in relation to the pipe 12. The bolts 22 are of a predetermined length related to the depth of the insulation material 14, so that the void 20 is of a suitable depth x (see Figure 2). The void 20 must be of a depth x that will allow for likely potential deformation of the shell 16, and that will allow for a predicted amount of liquid run-off and/or evaporation.

In this embodiment, the depth x is between 10mm and 20mm. In alternative embodiments, the depth x is between 10% and 20% of the radial distance y between the shell 16 and the pipe 12, or some other suitable distance.

On installation of the apparatus 10, a support arrangement 18 is fitted to the pipe 12. The ring portions 28a, 28b are brought around the pipe 12 and riveted together as described above. The bolts 22 are inserted through the threaded bosses and tightened against the pipe 12, so that the support arrangement 18 is secured in place.

A length of insulation material 14 is wrapped around the pipe 12 and moved along the pipe 12 until the insulation material abuts the bolts 22 of the support arrangement 18. A further support arrangement 18 is then fitted to the pipe 12 at the free end of the insulation material 14, so that each end of the insulation material 14 abuts a support arrangement 18. Multiple support arrangements 18 and lengths of insulation material 14 are fitted in this way until the desired length of pipe 12 is insulated. The distance between the support arrangements 18, and the corresponding length of the insulation material 14, is predetermined. In this embodiment, there is an interval of approximately lm between neighbouring support arrangements 18, which provides the necessary rigidity to the shell 16. The interval between support arrangements 18 depends on the application of the apparatus 10.

The shell 16 is wrapped around the insulation material 14 and the pipe 12 once the support arrangement 18 has been installed. The shell 16 is fastened to the support arrangements 18 as described above.

Parts of the insulation apparatus can be supplied as kit for installing a shell 16 on a pipe 12.

Such a kit includes the shell 16 and the support arrangement 18.

The support arrangement 18, installed at intervals along the pipe 12 as described above, can be used to support the pipe 12. That is, the brackets that are usually required to support a pipe at a plant are unnecessary due to the strength and rigidity of the support arrangements 18 and their reinforcement of the shell 16. Instead of using brackets, the pipe 12 can be supported at each support arrangement 18, thus saving time and cost of using brackets at installation. Advantageously, using the support arrangements 18 rather than brackets prevents cutting through the insulation material to fit the brackets, so that the length of insulation material 14 is substantially continuous. Additionally, the apparatus thus avoids penetration of the insulation material by a support arrangement, further reducing the risk of moisture ingress.

The insulation apparatus inhibits damage being caused to the insulation material, and reduces the likelihood of corrosion of the conduit under the insulation material.

Claims

Claims 1. An insulation assembly comprising: a conduit; insulation material substantially surrounding a perimeter of the conduit; and a shell configured to encase the insulation material; wherein a support arrangement is provided between the shell and the conduit; and wherein the support arrangement comprises a plurality of elongate members extending radially between the shell and the conduit, arranged and configured to maintain a void between the shell and the insulation material.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein each elongate member projects radially inwardly from a location distal the conduit and insulation into contact with an external surface of the conduit.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each elongate member extends through an aperture in the insulation and has an end in contact with an external surface of the conduit.
4. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an end of each elongate member, in contact with the conduit, is of thermally insulating material or non-conductive material.
5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of elongate members comprises 4 elongate members.
6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support arrangement comprises a support portion configured to support the shell.
7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the support portion defines a ring and said plurality of elongate members extend from said ring to the conduit.
8. An assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the support portion comprises a first part and a second part, wherein ends of each part overlap those of the other part and are attached so as to form a joint.
9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the radial thickness of the void is between 5% and 70% of the radial distance between the shell and the conduit.
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the radial thickness of the void is between 15% and 50% of the radial distance between the shell and the conduit.
11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit diameter is between 21mm and 2000mm.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the conduit diameter is between 34mm and 1000mm.
13. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support arrangement comprises a cap fitted over an end of each elongate member, proximal the conduit.
14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cap is of thermally-insulating material or non-conductive material, e.g. plastics material.
15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the shell defines at least one aperture configured to allow the exit of fluid from the shell from the shell.
16. A kit for installing a shell on a conduit, the kit comprising: a shell configured to encase insulation material; and a support arrangement configured to support the shell around a conduit; wherein the support arrangement is configured to maintain a void between the shell and insulation material surrounding a conduit.
17. A kit according to claim 16, wherein the support arrangement comprises a support portion configured to support the shell.
18. A kit according to claim 17, wherein the support portion comprises a first part and a second part, wherein ends of each part overlap those of the other part and are attached so as to form a joint.
19. A kit according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the support arrangement comprises at least one elongate member extending radially between the shell and the support portion.
20. A kit according to claim 18, wherein the support arrangement comprises two such elongate members opposing one another on either side of the conduit.
21. A kit according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the support arrangement comprises two pairs of such elongate members, the members of each pair opposing one another on either side of the conduit.
22. An insulation apparatus for use with a conduit intended to have a perimeter covered with insulation material, the apparatus comprising: a shell configured to encase the insulation material; and a support arrangement comprising a plurality of elongate members intended to extend extending radially between the shell and the conduit, arranged and configured for maintaining a void between the shell and the insulation material.
23. A method of installing an insulation apparatus on a conduit, the method comprising: a) providing an insulation apparatus according to claim 22; b) fitting the support arrangement to the conduit; c) fitting the insulation material to the conduit; and d) fitting the shell about the conduit such that there is a void between the shell and the insulation material.
24. A method of installing a shell on a conduit surrounded with insulation material, the method comprising: a) providing a kit according to any one of claims 16 to 21; b) fitting the support arrangement to the conduit; c) fitting the shell about the conduit such that there is a void between the shell and the insulation material.
25. An insulation assembly, and/or insulation apparatus, and/or a kit substantially as described herein, and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.