Catalogue - Pipe insulation technologies - Cannon Group



		PIPE INSULATION TECHNOLOGIES Rigid polyurethane foams are commonly used for the insulation of pipelines where hot or cold liquids are being carried through, because they minimize the exchange of heat within the pipe and surrounding environment. The main applications of rigid foam insulated pipes are chemical plant construction, district heating and oil and gas pipelines. Various technologies are used to apply foams to the pipes, according to their sizes and applications. Cannon have developed suitable solutions for all the needs, providing high foam quality and efficient methods of application.

	Rigid polyurethane foams, used for the insulation and protection of pipes for more than 30 years, are now more extensively used than ever. Thanks to their outstanding performances and ease of application they are progressively replacing other insulating media. The most popular areas of use are: • district heating systems 9 oil and gas pipelines • heating services for power stations, chemical plants and refineries Polyurethane foam's superior insulation properties prevent heat loss or maintain temperatures in cold environments to prevent freezing. These energy saving performances improve the cost efficiency of customers' fluid distribution lines. If we add their high mechanical strength, excellent adhesion, flexibility and good flow-ability, required to properly fill the cavity around the pipe' section, we understand why this reliable, efficient and long lasting material quickly gained the favour of so many contractors and end users.

	Polyurethane foams can be efficient over an extremely wide range of temperatures, from the extreme cold of cryogenic applications, where temperatures can be as low as -190°C, to an intense heat approaching 150°C. According to the needs, insulated pipes' dimensions stand in a range from 10 mm in diameter of small plumbing pipes, up to 2,000 mm diameters of the largest heating pipes. Insulation thickness vary accordingly, up to 200-250 mm for the most severe working conditions.

	Pipe manufacturing techniques In order to assure the most effective insulation to a vast array of pipes, different in diameter, length and type, various application techniques have been developed and applied, and both discontinuous and continuous manufacturing processes are applied. Continuous manufacturing techniques In continuous production methods - adapt to large pipes produced in huge quantities - foam is applied to the inner pipe either by a moulding or a spray operation. Then an external protecting pipe is extruded or wound around a quasi-stable foam. Cannon supplied recently complete plants for both pouring and spray techniques.

	A major Austrian manufacturer of small pipes (the inner tubes having a diameter of 10 to 12 cm) installed a continuous pouring system based on one high-pressure multi-component dosing unit able to produce in rapid sequence pipes insulated with foams of different densities and characterised by different reaction and rise profiles.

	Foam is applied on the moving pipes, over a flexible protecting film which is unrolled under the steel tube and is immediately "wrapped" around it when the foam starts rising. The pressure exerted by the rising foam is contained using a lateral caterpillar system, which clamps from both sides the running manufact (pipe, foam and protective film) accompanying it for a period of time sufficient to guarantee the mechanical stabilisation of the foam and its even distribution in a precise annular circle between the inner pipe and the outer lining film. Closed-loop control of components output and ratio guarantee to this client a constant foam quality, even in presence of a very wide range of ambient temperatures in their working place. The availability of multi-component dosing permits a quick adjustment of the catalysis pack when required by the changing process parameters, and a very intuitive MMI (Man Machine Interface) helps the operators in programming the various lots of pipes and in the following statistical control of production.

	For further information: marketing@afros.it www.cannon.com - www.afros.it

Pipe insulation technologies - Cannon Group - #1

Curing oven, Mixer-dispenser, Mixer, Polyurethane foam, Dispenser