Manufacturing and Installation of Insulated Pipes or Elements Thereof

• US 20110197987A1
• Filed: 04/30/2009
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cabot Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cabot Corporation
• Inventors: Du Plessis, Andries J., Johnson, Aaron H., Koravos, Jason J., Miller, Thomas Michael, Greenfield, Matthew B.
• Application Number:
  US12/990,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20110197987A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 138/149
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/14 based on silica
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 38/0054 the pores being microsized or nanosized
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 38/0067 characterised by the density of the end product
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 38/06 by burning-out added substances by burning natural expanding materials or by sublimating or melting out added substances
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/024 composed of two half sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/026 Mattresses, mats, blankets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/027 Bands, cords, strips or the like for helically winding around a cylindrical object
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/10 Bandages or covers for the protection of the insulation, e.g. against the influence of the environment or against mechanical damage integral with the insulation materials F16L59/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/12 Arrangements for supporting insulation from the wall or body insulated, e.g. by means of spacers between pipe and heat-insulating material; Arrangements specially adapted for supporting insulated bodies
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/143 Pre-insulated pipes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Insulated pipe systems or assemblies include a particulate, composite or monolithic insulating aerogel material. Techniques for installing or manufacturing such systems or assemblies are described, as are components useful in the installation or manufacture processes.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a. an inner pipe structure;

b. an outer pipe structure

c. an insert having a plurality of holes for directing gas at a moving surface of at least one of the inner pipe structure and the outer pipe structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the insert is divided in chambers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner pipe structure includes an inner pipe and an insulating material at an outer surface of the inner pipe.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the outer pipe structure includes an outer pipe and an insulating material at an inner surface of the outer pipe.

5. An insulated pipe structure comprising:

a. a pipe having an outer surface;

b. an insulating material wrapped over the outer surface to form an insulating layer; and

c. at least one layer surrounding an exterior surface of the insulating layer.

6. The insulated pipe structure of claim 5, wherein the at least one layer is formed by extrusion.

7. The insulated pipe structure of claim 5, further comprising a protective layer at an outer surface of the at least one layer.

8. The insulated pipe structure of claim 5, wherein the insulating material includes aerogel.

9. (canceled)

10. A method for preparing a pipe-in-pipe assembly, the method comprising

expanding a flow pipe to reduce an annular space between the flow pipe and an outer pipe, thereby compressing an insulating material present in the annular space.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising introducing the insulating material into the annular space.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the insulating material is a particulate or composite material that includes aerogel.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the flow pipe is expanded by a tubing expander or by a swaging tool.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the flow pipe is fabricated from a polymeric material.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the flow pipe is expanded using a heated expanding tool.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising contacting the heated flow pipe with a cooling mandrel.

17. A structure for a deploying an insulating material in a pipe-in-pipe assembly, the structure comprising:

a. a container housing the insulating material in a compressed state; and

b. a sheath surrounding an outer surface of the container and attached to the container at discrete locations.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the sheath is attached to the container at discrete locations including edges of the container.

19. The structure of claim 17, wherein the container is a half shell container.

20. The structure of claim 19, wherein the sheath is dimensioned for limited expansion of the insulating material upon breaching of the container

21-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A method for protecting an insulated pipe during welding, the method comprising:

wrapping a pouch including one or more heat distribution panels around a container insulating a pipe.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the pouch is fabricated from one or more heat resistant materials

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the container includes aerogel material.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more heat distribution panels are disposed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, said sides being fabricated from different materials.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more heat distribution panels are disposed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, said sides being fabricated from the same material.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more heat distribution panels are disposed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, at least one of said sides extending beyond the one or more heat distribution panels.