We choose a heater for sewer pipes, plumbing and heating: the most effective options. Thermal insulation of heating and hot water pipes Material for thermal insulation of pipes

  • 20.06.2020

Withstands temperatures over 1000°C.

ROCKWOOL insulation is extremely fire resistant. It contributes to the localization of the fire and prevents its spread. In addition, it does not emit toxic substances and is safe for isolating children's rooms.

thermal insulation

Save energy by maintaining the optimum temperature and indoor climate.

This makes working and living conditions healthier and more comfortable, improving people's quality of life - especially in urban environments. Temperature stability can significantly reduce heating, cooling and ventilation costs, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Soundproofing

Isolation, absorption or correction of sound.

The city needs good infrastructure car roads, railway and tram tracks, airports), but it sometimes turns out to be too noisy. Vibration, traffic noise - not to mention anthropogenic noise pollution - lead to serious negative consequences for well-being, especially in densely populated areas.

Durability

Improved performance characteristics and increased stability at lower cost.

In cities experiencing a shortage of free land, a growing number of people work and live in high-rise buildings. Such structures can be a brilliant solution to the problem of providing a growing population with safe and durable housing.

Aesthetics

Harmonious combination performance and aesthetic qualities.

When people live or work in beautiful place, it enhances their sense of comfort and increases motivation. An environment in which people enjoy their time strengthens social bonds and makes the surrounding area safer and more livable.

Water resistance

Efficient handling of the most valuable resource.

Traditional Methods food production is losing ground in the face of population growth, and climate change is increasing the need for flood protection. Products from stone wool can be designed to absorb or repel water, as needed, and can also be used to recycle water in greenhouses, helping to solve whole line problems of water regime management.

Environmental friendliness

ROCKWOOL sustainable products bring out the power and naturalness of natural stone.

Stone is one of the most common materials on earth; however, we must make better use of our planet's resources. We have developed technologies that allow us to use waste from other industries as alternative raw materials.

Thermal insulation of pipelines is one of the important measures to ensure the durability of steel (VGP; ES; BSH) and polymer pipes.

Section materials

→ Rockwool cylinders → Styrofoam shell
→ K-FLEX → PPU shell
→ K-FLEX PE → Basalt mats
→ FOAMPIPE cylinders → ProRox PS 960
→ FOAMPIPE bends → Jackets for pipes with insulation
→ FOAMPIPE tees → Aluminum tape
→ Foampipe Sewer sewer insulation → Band clamp
→Thermal insulation boxes Foampipe TK → Fiberglass

The thermal insulation of heating pipes is no less important than the thermal insulation of the basement, walls or roof of a building. The main reason for this is the uninterrupted supply of water during the cold season, so it is simply necessary to insulate the water supply.

How is the correct thermal insulation of heating pipes?

Depending on the material used, thermal insulation for pipes differs in structure and production technology.

Selection and installation of thermal insulation of pipes is a matter only for an experienced specialist. Otherwise, over time, you will need to redo the work done again.

To ensure a long period of operation of the pipeline, it is necessary to always take into account climatic conditions, in which the operation of heating or water supply networks will be carried out, and trust the installation of the material only to professionals.

Thermal insulation of water supply pipes is the most important stage in the creation of water supply or sewerage systems. Proper thermal insulation of pipes guarantees the normal functioning of the pipeline even in the cold season. Haste and savings on insulation leads to the need for regular repairs.

For thermal insulation of pipelines, only quality materials. It should also be taken into account that it is important not only to protect the pipe from the effects of cold, but also to provide protection against corrosion by creating an anti-corrosion layer.

It should be remembered that the thermal insulation of pipes must have a long service life so that there is no need for frequent replacement. Depending on the passage of the pipeline (external or underground), different types of pipe insulation are used.

For indoor applications, it is optimal to use ROCKWOOL thermal insulation cylinders. Products from a well-known manufacturer, have high quality and unique properties. High requirements for technical insulation products allow Rockwool cylinders to be No. 1 today. They are made from mineral wool on a synthetic binder 1 meter long. They can be of various diameters from 19 to 273 mm. The thickness of hollow products can be 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 mm. Cylinders can be produced with additional aluminum foil coating.

For outdoor use, Rockwool mineral wool cylinders can also be used, but with subsequent shelter in the form of protective shells. They protect products from atmospheric precipitation and damage to thermal insulation. It is also possible to use mineral wool mats Tech mat and Wired Mat.

Thermal insulation for pipes can also be made with PPU shells or polystyrene foam shells. For in-ground applications, this is the most common insulation option. In any case, all necessary measures to protect pipes are recommended to be carried out strictly according to the project, which specifies certain materials necessary for insulation.

Thermal insulation of heating pipes is reliable protection pipes. The efficiency of heating mains depends on the heat-insulating material, because without it, heat losses occur, especially in winter time. All this is reflected in the wallets of our citizens.

Acceptable prices for pipe insulation

Today, you can buy thermal insulation for pipes at various prices. When choosing one or another material, the buyer is often interested in what determines the price of insulation for the pipeline. The answer to the question is simple.

The cost of the material is affected by the following:

  • producer country - imports are always more expensive than domestic goods, although they are the same in quality;
  • the density of the material - the denser, the more expensive;
  • thermal insulation thickness;
  • the ratio "pipeline insulation - price" depends entirely on the structural material;
  • Bulk purchase is always cheaper than retail.

However, when buying thermal insulation for pipes, you should choose only the product that is best suited for these specific operating conditions. In this case, having paid once, the buyer will enjoy the uninterrupted operation of the pipeline for a long time.

The functional diversity of pipelines, as well as the climatic conditions of our country, have determined the variety of ways in which thermal insulation for pipes is carried out.

Pipelines are classified according to several criteria. Depending on the type of product that is transported through them, they are divided into the following types:

  • For steam;
  • For water;
  • For gas;
  • For oil;
  • For air;
  • For oil, etc.

Depending on the distance over which transportation is carried out, pipelines are:

  • Trunk, which include pipelines that carry out transportation over long distances. Thermal insulation of pipelines of the main type is within the competence of specialized enterprises;
  • Local, which include pipelines, for example, urban utility networks, including water supply, sewerage and heating systems. Thermal insulation of heating mains of water supply networks, sewerage and heating routes is a task most often faced by a city dweller.

Technological pipelines are allocated to a separate group, which serve industrial needs, being directly at the production site.

In addition, there is a division of pipelines into types according to the characteristics of the transported medium and operating pressure.

Purpose of thermal insulation

Depending on the purpose of the pipeline, thermal insulation for pipes can solve different problems. Let's list them:

  1. Ensuring specified temperature characteristics on the surface of the insulating layer. Such a task is posed when the temperature of the medium inside the pipe does not matter, but it is necessary, for example, to avoid burns in contact with the surface of the pipes.
  2. Providing freeze protection for liquids passing through thermally insulated pipes. In our climate, this is one of the most urgent tasks, especially for utility networks, that is, water supply, sewer systems and heating routes.
  3. Prevention of formation and accumulation of condensate on the surface of pipes. This problem arises when the temperature of the liquid in the pipeline is less than the temperature of the outside air, as is the case, for example, in plumbing and sewer pipes With cold water indoors.
  4. Prevention of heat losses in pipes of heating networks and insulation of heating mains. The heating mains for heating and hot water supply of urban and industrial networks laid in the ground or on the surface of the earth inevitably lose part of the heat due to lower temperatures. environment. The task of insulating water pipes and heating mains of urban networks is to minimize these losses.

Types of thermal insulation materials

The choice of material and method of thermal insulation is made based on its purpose.

There are two main types of isolation:

  1. The insulating material is applied or sprayed in the form of mastic or paint.
  2. The finished insulating material is attached around the pipe.

Today, insulating materials are produced in the following forms:

  • Cylinders;
  • Half cylinders;
  • segments;
  • Rolls;
  • Mats.

Important! When choosing a heater, it is necessary to take into account what types of pipeline it is intended for. Failure to comply with this rule can lead not only to a violation of thermal protection, but also to damage to the pipeline itself.

Consider the most common types of insulation, as well as how to install them.

Mineral wool

Of all types of insulation, mineral wool is the least expensive. Installation of insulation from this material is simple, but laborious.

To do this, a roll of cotton wool is cut across into pieces 200 mm thick and then wrapped around the pipes. And first, a layer of mineral wool is wound, and on top of it a layer of fiberglass.

Fiberglass must be laid tightly, but so that it does not squeeze the insulation. The thickness of the wool layer covering the heat-insulated pipes should be about 100 mm. This indicator depends on the ambient temperature.

When winding mineral wool, make sure that it lays down evenly and does not wrinkle.

Mineral wool is used as thermal insulation of pipelines large diameter, most often for heating routes of urban networks and for sewer systems.

For water supply pipes, heating pipes, as well as sewer pipes of small diameter, this type of insulation is usually not practiced.

Shell

This type of insulation is used for sewer, water and heating pipes with a diameter of more than 50 mm. The shell consists of a heater and a protective shell.

The insulation is made of mineral wool or polyurethane foam, and the protective shell is thin sheet metal, bent in the form of a half nutshell.

During installation, the halves of the shell are superimposed on the pipe, forming a protective cocoon around it, and fastened together with clamps or mounting wire.

To isolate corner elements, the shell can be made bent at an angle of 45 or 90 degrees.

At an average cost, the shell surpasses other types of thermal insulation.

Polyurethane sealant

This type of insulation, or, in other words, liquid insulation, is a composite material. It consists of a two-component polyurethane sealant and a protective sheath, which is made of thin sheet stainless steel or galvanized.

It is also used for insulation of large diameter highways.

The installation process consists of the following steps:

  1. A protective sheath is fixed on the pipe, which is centered relative to the axis of the line using wooden wedges.
  2. The main component of the sealant is poured into the protective shell. In order for heat-insulated pipes to serve well and for a long time, it is necessary to strictly observe the proportions indicated in the instructions.
  3. An auxiliary component is poured into the protective shell.

During the reaction between the components, polyurethane foam filling the space between the shell and the pipe surface.

Important! When working with polyurethane sealant, safety precautions must be strictly observed. It must not be allowed to come into contact with the skin.

Tubular insulation

Tubular insulation - merylon, made of foamed polyethylene. It is used for insulation of water pipes with a diameter of not more than 100 mm.

To mount the Merilon, remove the tape fixed along the tube. After that, the tube opens up and can be easily put on water pipe. Then the merylon is fixed with electrical tape or tape.

They insulate the pipes of domestic networks, water supply, sewer or intended for heating, located in the building or buried to a depth of no more than a meter.

Important! Merilon is not intended for use on outdoors.

Pipe insulation is a material that guarantees efficient work systems, conservation comfortable temperature in the house and uninterrupted circulation of the contents of the highway. In the conditions of our latitudes, all communications have to be insulated. The choice of thermal insulation is a responsible task, which is not easy to cope with, given the wide range. A small tour of options- in this review from the editors of HouseChief.

Good thermal insulation of the pipeline is a prerequisite for its successful operation.
PHOTO: kimberia.ru

Read in the article

Thermal insulation: an urgent need or reinsurance

The ground freezes in almost all our latitudes. If a pipeline with liquid contents is in the frozen ground, it will most likely break. In addition, direct contact with cold soil or air leads to significant heat loss. Part of the thermal energy will be wasted on heating the environment and will not reach its destination.

In houses, the boiler room is often located outside the main room, and the coolant has to travel some distance before getting into the radiators. The route of the highway can pass through the attic, basement or unheated corridor.


The loss of part of the energy leads to unreasonable costs and excessive wear of equipment
PHOTO: torufix.ee

The sewerage system is also very dependent on temperature. Even if the line is laid in accordance with all the rules, with the necessary slope, plaque forms inside the pipes, which, when frozen, can clog the system and lead to pipe rupture. Not only centralized systems are subject to such problems, but also autonomous structures with a septic.

There is always water in the pipes. It begins to circulate when the tap is opened, and the rest of the time it can turn into ice in the freezing soil.

So there is no question of reinsurance. Thermal insulation is a really necessary procedure that should not be neglected if you do not want to constantly repair engineering networks.
PHOTO: vodakanazer.ru

Requirements for heat insulators for pipelines

In order for the heater to effectively perform its task, it must meet several important requirements:

  • the level of thermal conductivity should be as low as possible to effectively maintain the temperature of the contents of the line in the cold and warm seasons;
  • thermal insulation must be safe for humans;
  • the material must not be flammable and must not support combustion;
  • the insulation should not accumulate moisture, as this process reduces its ability to retain heat;
  • installation of the material should be simple, with a minimum number of joints and the possibility of isolating nodes of complex configuration;
  • the maintainability of the insulation and the possibility of its repeated use are important;
  • the material must be resistant to external influences, mechanical, atmospheric and chemical, as well as to a sharp temperature drop.

Does the cost of the material matter? Usually, good insulation cannot be too cheap, although these materials usually do not cost much
PHOTO: aiss33.ru

What heaters meet these requirements? There are several options that are great for pipe insulation: these are mineral wool materials, foam thermal insulators, and some bulk and liquid substances that can perform such tasks.

Types of insulation for pipes and their features

Consider the main options for heat insulators, which are most effective for insulating sewerage, heating and plumbing systems.

Mineral wool materials

Fiberglass or stone wool retains heat very well. If we compare these two types of insulation, then stone wool wins in terms of insulating properties. It withstands temperatures up to 700ºС and keeps its shape perfectly even under mechanical stress. This insulation is resistant to aggressive chemicals and is relatively inexpensive.

But he also has his own unpleasant features. The main one is the ability to absorb moisture. With this process, stone wool gradually loses its heat-insulating properties. Therefore, if you opt for this material, you should consider another outer layer of waterproofing to protect against water.


This insulation is sold in plates, cylinders and rolls. The material can already be protected on one side with foil
PHOTO: ecotherm.bg

Expanded polystyrene insulation

Foam insulation contains more than 50% air in its mass, which makes it one of the best. Its only drawback is its fragility, which does not allow it to be bent in the shape of a pipe. But manufacturers have solved this problem by releasing a foam shell, which has the shape of a half-cylinder and can be worn on a pipe like a shirt.


The connection of half-cylinders is carried out in a tongue-and-groove way, which eliminates the formation of cold bridges
PHOTO: build-experts.ru

Such a shell withstands temperature fluctuations from -110ºС to + 80ºС degrees. If your heating pipes heat up to a higher temperature, then a cork membrane should be laid between them and the foam.

Such a heater does not support combustion and can be used more than once.

A more perfect version of the shell is penoplex, which, with a smaller thickness, has better heat-insulating properties. Penoplex is more elastic, so it can bend a little if necessary.

Liquid penoizol

This material is applied by spraying and is used more often for pipe insulation in industrial premises. After such treatment, the pipe is completely hidden under the insulator layer, without the formation of cold bridges. In this way it is convenient to insulate pipes with a complex configuration. Spraying services are not cheap. In the conditions of private households, ordinary polyurethane foam can become an analogue of such insulation.

So you can insulate a small piece of pipe
PHOTO: prorab.help

Foamed polyethylene

Polyethylene is a fairly durable material that can withstand mechanical loads well. This type of insulation is not afraid of moisture and protects metal pipes from corrosion damage. Temperature range of operation – from -60ºС to +90ºС. Foamed polyethylene resists fire for a long time, but if it burns, it does not emit toxins.


It is easy to install such a heater, it is elastic and suitable for pipes of any diameter.
PHOTO: polifasplus.ru

The price of foamed polyethylene is an order of magnitude lower than, for example, polyurethane. Thermal insulation for pipes made of this material is produced in the form of hollow cylinders up to 200 cm long and up to 20 mm wall thickness.

To put such a cylinder on a pipe, it is cut lengthwise, and then the cut is sealed with adhesive tape. roll material just wrap the pipes.

Foil penofol

Foil insulation is a modern and popular type of thermal insulation, easy to install and efficient in operation. Foil penofol can also be used to insulate pipes. It is produced in rolls and hollow cylinders.


Installation of penofol is similar to foamed polyethylene
PHOTO: vystroim.com

Energoflex

This type of insulation is flexible. In fact, Energoflex is a kind of high-pressure polyethylene foam. This material can be used outdoors. It is not afraid of water and can withstand temperatures from -60ºС to +90ºС.


LDPE is resistant to aggressive chemicals and can be used for at least 25 years
PHOTO: 7.allegroimg.com

Available in rolls and hollow cylinders.

The disadvantage of Energoflex is its susceptibility to direct ultraviolet radiation.

Heat insulating dyes

It's comparatively the new kind thermal insulation, which is applied with a conventional brush or roller. The thickness of the resulting layer is minimal, and the thermal insulation effect is quite high. The price of such paints "bites", and the secret of their manufacture is vigilantly kept by manufacturers. It is only known that the heat-insulating effect is present due to the presence of microspheres with air in the composition of the paint. Such a coating can replace a five-centimeter layer of mineral wool.


In parallel, the dye protects the pipes from corrosion and prevents condensation from forming on their surface.
PHOTO: gidpokraske.ru

Loose insulation

In addition to the materials listed, pipes in the ground are traditionally insulated with expanded clay. The layer of this material is able to retain heat qualitatively and for a long time. So that the insulation does not mix with the soil, it is placed together with pipes in a box made of boards or in concrete shells.

Thermal insulation for pipes: how to choose

The choice of insulation depends on three main factors: the location of the pipeline, installation features and cost. In principle, any of the heaters listed above is easy to install with your own hands.

Foil insulation is used to keep pipes from overheating from the outside. In terms of material cost, mineral wool will be the most expensive, and polyethylene foam will be the cheapest.

In the case when it is impossible to wrap the pipes with a heat insulator due to their complex structure or location, it is logical to use thermal paint.

For heating system

For the heating system, use thermal insulation materials which can be operated in contact with high temperature objects. These include mineral wool, foam plastic and polyurethane foam.

Two conditions are important for the insulation of a water supply system: maximum heat retention and protection against corrosion. The most suitable for this are polyurethane foam, which is applied in a liquid state, and heat-insulating paint. Both of these options eliminate the formation of condensate and protect pipes from rust.

For sewerage

Sewer pipes with insufficient slope or passing less than half a meter from the ground surface must be insulated. This will require materials that do not absorb moisture and are resistant to mechanical stress.


Foamed polyethylene and penoizol are perfect for such purposes.
PHOTO: tehnopena.ru

How to independently install insulation on pipes

Installation of thermal insulation on pipes is quite simple task, which even a beginner can solve. Here is a short video on this topic that will help you quickly understand the process:

Some nuances of installation in special conditions

For getting effective insulation pipe lines should follow a few simple recommendations:

  • when insulating in unheated rooms, it is important to exclude cold bridges;
  • in wet rooms, vapor barrier should be used over thermal insulation;
  • the insulation with a self-adhesive layer will greatly facilitate the installation work;
  • to eliminate minor flaws in installation, use additional winding and reinforcing tape;
  • carefully select hard insulation - they must exactly match the diameter of the pipes.

If everything is done correctly, you will forget about communication problems.
PHOTO: bt-wpstatic.freetls.fastly.net

How do you insulate the pipes in your house? Write about it in the comments!

It is necessary to protect from the cold not only building structures, but also engineering communications. Proper insulation heating pipes reduces heat loss, reduces the risk of freezing if the circulation hot water stopped at long time due to accidents and repairs. The consumption of fuel and energy resources increases along with monthly utility bills.

Requirements for thermal insulation of heating pipes

Technical requirements for thermal insulation of pipelines are established by SP 61.13330. During operation, it is exposed to influences of a different nature - mechanical, chemical, thermal, moisture, so it must be not only energy efficient, but also reliable, durable, and safe.

Characteristics of materials that are taken into account when choosing:

  • Thermal conductivity, density - determine the thickness of the insulation layer, the load on the pipe, its supports.
  • Heat resistance - determines the invariance of the initial properties in contact with a hot surface.
  • Elasticity, compressive strength - are responsible for the stability of the shape and structure during caking, laying in the ground.
  • Water resistance - eliminates the absorption of water, allows you to maintain thermal insulation properties.
  • Biostability, impact resistance aggressive environments are important for long term use.
  • Combustibility, content harmful substances- must meet sanitary and hygienic requirements, fire safety standards.

From a practical point of view, convenient, simple installation is important. It saves time, eliminates additional costs for installation materials.

Functions of insulating materials

Pipelines of heating networks are insulated for any type of laying - underground and above ground on the street, in the technical rooms of apartment buildings, private houses, industrial, public buildings. The tasks of materials and structures do not depend on the location of communications.

Thermal insulation for heating pipes must:

  • Maintain the temperature of the coolant to ensure comfort in residential and working premises.
  • Reduce heat losses in the pipeline, maintain them at an acceptable level, reduce fuel or energy costs.
  • Ensure safety in contact with the surface, as the temperature of hot water in the pipes reaches 1050C.
  • Protect the system from freezing, corrosion, deformation, damage, extend its maintenance-free service life.

Properly selected and installed insulation performs all functions during the estimated service life.

Types of materials for thermal insulation of heating pipes

Technical solutions for pipe insulation differ in design, materials and characteristics.

Mineral wool

Technical insulation made of basalt rock wool for heat insulation of high-temperature pipelines is produced in coiled cylinders, slabs and mats, including those with one-sided foiling. It is chemically inert, bioresistant, non-combustible, has a thermal conductivity of about 0.04 W / m * K and a density of 100-150 kg / m3.

The materials are effective, affordable, but have drawbacks. The use of mineral wool insulation for insulating heating pipes in attics, basements, technical undergrounds is limited due to high humidity. The tendency to caking, the absorption of moisture lead to a violation of the structure, wetting, a rapid deterioration in heat-shielding properties.

Styrofoam and expanded polystyrene

Heat-insulating materials from extruded polystyrene foam and polystyrene are made in the form of plates, segments in the form of half-cylinders. They are used to protect house heating pipelines, to assemble a closed or U-shaped box when laying a pipeline in the ground.

The insulation has a density of 35-40 kg/m3, a thermal conductivity coefficient of about 0.035-0.04 W/m*K, and low water absorption, does not rot, and is easy to install. The disadvantages include combustibility, a narrow range of operating temperatures from -600 to + 750C. Pipes must be treated with an anti-corrosion compound before installation in the ground; with open laying, the insulation must be protected from UV rays.

polyurethane foam

For insulation of heating pipes, PPU shells with and without foil coating are used. The material is characterized by low thermal conductivity of 0.022-0.03 W / m * K and water absorption due to the closed cellular structure, high strength, long service life, does not rot, is quickly mounted. Uncoated shells are used only indoors, as polyurethane foam is destroyed by UV rays.

Insulation of large diameter pipelines can be performed using sprayed polyurethane foam insulation. It has an increased density and fire resistance, significantly reduces heat loss due to a continuous coating without "cold bridges".

Foamed synthetic rubber

rubber technical thermal insulation produced in rolls and tubes. It is non-combustible, environmentally friendly, resistant to chemical and biological influences, has a density of 65 kg/m3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.04-0.047 W/m*K.

The materials are used to insulate pipelines in rooms laid aboveground and underground; they can have an aluminized coating to protect against mechanical damage, UV rays. The main disadvantage is the high cost.

Foamed polyethylene

Thermal insulation for heating pipes made of foamed polyethylene with an elastic porous structure is used in any conditions, does not absorb water, maintains a low thermal conductivity of 0.032 W / m * k with temperature changes. It is available in the format of tubes, rolls, mats, easy and quick to install.

The material is used indoors, heating points, when laying pipes in the open air, in the ground. For above-ground installation, it is necessary to provide a cover layer, for underground - a casing.

Comparison of the characteristics of heating pipe insulation

Table 1. comparison table characteristics of different heaters for heating pipes and hot water
Specifications Mineral wool Styrofoam polyurethane foam foamed rubber Foamed polyethylene
Thermal conductivity, W/m*K 0,04 0,035-0,04 0,022-0,03 0,038-0,045 0,032
Density, kg/m3 105-135 35-40 60 65 35
Water absorption, % 10-15 4 1-2 0,6 0,6
Application temperature, С0 -180 to +680 -60 to +75 -180 to +140 -60 to +105 -80 to +100
Ease of installation May require winding, fixing with ties, wire rings Glued together, pulled together with fastening bandages or assembled in a box It is put on the pipe, fixed with thermal tape Fixed with glue or clips Attached with adhesive tape
Chemical and biostability high high high high high
combustibility NG G3-G4 G2-G4 G1 G1

The advantages of using polyethylene foam for thermal insulation of heating pipes are obvious. Foamed polyethylene insulation wins in operational, physical and economic properties. It is versatile, energy-efficient, retains heat-shielding properties throughout its service life, and is used at medium and low-price facilities due to its affordable cost.