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Aquaduct
Insulation Systems |
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Thermal
Insulation Solutions for Sub-Sea Pipelines |
| Rockwool
is part of the known Rockwool Group. The
Group is the world's largest producer of stone wool and has
64 operating companies throughout Europe and North America.
Rockwool
has been closely involved in the offshore and oil-processing
industries since the first UK North Sea platform was commisioned
Rockwool
Insulation Products are used in applications as diverse as
thermal insulation,acoustic treatment and fire protection.
Rockwool stone wool is the most widely used insulation in
the European industrial and process markets
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Pipe
in pipe
Aquaduct
Half Shells were manufactured to suit this pipe bundle where
varying thicknesses of insulation were required to make optimum
use of the confined space. Half Shells consisted of strips
of Rockwool bonded to inside of an aluminium 'shell'
This
orientation of process pipes would be better insulated by
using Aquduct Lamella, which can take on flat surfaces as
well as curved
Here,
Aquaduct sections were cut in half, and fixed with flat pieces |
Field
Joint Applications
Rockwool
Aquaduct Systems can be used to complete field joints when
the insulation material specified will not accpet welding
or when this type of construction is required
The
pipe insulation is 'cut back' typically 600 mm.
The
outer carrier pipe has a 250 mm (typ) gap to allow welding
of the miner process pipe.
Once
complete, the grap in insulation is filled with 2 x 200 mm
long Aquaduct Sections/Aquaduct PSM
The
final 200 mm long Aquaduct Section is inserted
The
carrier pipe gap is bridged and welded |
Wetted
Rockwool Insulation
1.
The Effects of Water
It
is generarally accepted that insulation materials regardless of
type) schould not be wet when applied, or be applied to surfaces
that are themselves wet.
Furthermore,
water should not be allowed to enter the insulation system subsequent
to installation. The presence of water can cause corrosion of metallic
surfaces and can reduce the thermal effectiveness of the insulation.
We,
therefore, recommend that Rockwool Insulation Products are applied
in a dry state to surfaces wich are clean, dry and free from frease,
dirt, loose rust and scales and are weather protected when used
in external applications (reference paragrphs 23.1 and 27 of BS5970:1992)
2.
Water Repellency
Water
is unlikely to penetrate to a depth greater than few mm into the
body of Rockwool Insulation unless the product is held in water
and the iar forced out. Subsequent to total immersion testing in
accordance with BS2972, Rockwool products will typically absorb
less than 2% water by volume.
3.
Drying Out of Wet Rockwool
Rockwool
Insulation Products should recover their original properties once
fully dried, dependent upon:
i.
Not habing been significantly compressed or otherwise damaged whilst
wet
ii.
Not having been contaminated or degraded by harmful chemicals borne
by the water.
Drying
out is, of course, dependent upon the prevailing enviromental conditions
and the free venting of any subsequent water vapour build up. It
is, therefore, not possible to quantify or guarantee this process.
4.
Storage
Rockwool
products are supplied shrink-wrapped in polyethylene, which provides
short-term protection. For long-term purposes, Rockwool Insulation
should be stored safely indoors
If
stored outside, Rockwool Insulation should be stacked clear of the
ground and covered with a securely anchored weatherproof sheet.
Rockwool products should not be left exposed to the weather
Welding
-Effects on Rockwool Insulation
1.
Introduction
Bench
tests were carried out to determine the likely effects on Rockwool
Insulation of welding in close proximity.
2.
Test Conditions
Test
date: 2nd February 1996
Rockwool
Insulation test sample:406 x 90
Rockwool
Aquaduct Section flattened to provide a plane surface. Two 200 mm
x 100 mm x 5mm mild steel plates edge prepared for welding and butt
jointed
The
gap between the plates was 0 mm at one end and approximately 5 mm
at the other.
A
MIG welder was used to join the two plates together.
A
further test simulating 'blow through' conditions was undertaken
by pouring approximately 3 cm3 of molten weld metal onto the bare
Rockwool surface
3.
Results
Where
the gap was small (up to approximately 1 mm wide) no appreciable
effect was apparent on the Rockwool surface other than a slight,
localised darkening in colour.
As
the gap increased (notably in the region of 2 to 5 mm wide) a thin
black line was apparent on the Rockwool surface where shrinkage
had ocurred. This localised line of shrinkage was between 2 and
5 mm deep.
The
molten metal droplets melted the Rocwool surface on contact, penetrating
to a depth of approximately 30 mm. The red hot, droplets nestled
in the body of teh Rockwool at this depth and remained glowing red
hot for some considerable time.
4.
Conclusions
It
has clearly been shown that Rockwool Insulation behaves satisfactorily
in close proximity to welding activity. However, it should be noted
that the above bench tests are not representative of all weld conditions.
Environment
Rockwool
Insulation Products are, and always have been free from gases that
are harmful to the environment, such as CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, pentane
or any gases that have Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) or Global
Warming Potential (GWP)
Health
and safety
Current
HSE 'CHIP' Regulations and Eu directive 97/69/EC confirm the safety
of Rockwool mineral wool; Rocwool fibres are not classified aas
a possible human carcinogen. The maximum exposure lilmit for mineral
woll is 4mg/m3, 8 hour timeweighted average.
A
Material Safety Data Sheet is avialable from the Rockwool Marketing
Services Department assist in the preparation of risk assesments,
as required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
(COSHH).
Technical
Helpline
Technical
advice realting to the Aquaduct range is available from the Rockwool
Technical Helpline Services Department.
Unrivalled
Performance and Flexibility
Rocwool
Aquaduct Insualtion Systemns are manufactured to meet the most stringent
requirements of today's sub-sea pipeline designer. Rockwool Aquaduct
Insulation Systems utilise Rockwool mineral wool insulation to provide
the pipeline designer with an unrivalled combination of high performance
and flexibility of design.
Specially
developed for marine and offshore applications, taking full advantage
of the excellent water repellent properties of Rockwool mineral
wool.
Fire
performance
Rockwool
Aquaduct Insulation Products are rated non combustible in accordance
with ISO 1182.
Temperature
Range
Depending
upon constructional details, Rockwool Aquaduct Insualtion Products
can be used at temperatures up to 600C (230C for Aquaduct Lamella
Mat)
Thermal
Conductivity
Aquaduct
Pipe Sections ..............................................................
0.033W/mK
Aquaduct
PSM ..........................................................................
0.033W/mK
Aquaduct
Bevelled Lags ...............................................................
0.033W/mK
Aquaduct
Loose fill* .....................................................................
0.038W/mK
Aquaduct
Lamella Mat ..................................................................
0.039W/mK
Mean
product temperature: 10oC
*
Installed density 45 kg/m3
Compressive
Strength
Aquaduct
pre-formed products offer a unique combination of high resistance
to compression and good recovery following deformation
Chemical
Properties
pH
7 of slightly alkaline - Halide free, choride less than 10 ppm.
Contact the Technical Helpline for further information
Description
of Product Range
Aquaduct
Insulation Systems incorporate a number of different forms of Rockwool
insulation, some of which are described below
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