Insulate Fittings
Introduction
During maintenance, the insulation that covers pipes, valves, and fittings is often damaged or removed and not replaced. Pipes, valves, and fittings that are not insulated can be safety hazards and sources of heat loss. Removable and reusable insulating pads are available to cover almost any surface. The pads are made of a noncombustible inside cover, insulation material, and a noncombustible outside cover that resists tears and abrasion. Material used in the pads resists oil and water and has been designed for temperatures of up to 1600°F. Wire laced through grommets or straps with buckles hold the pads in place.
Reusable insulating pads are commonly used in industrial facilities for insulating flanges, valves, expansion joints, heat exchangers, pumps, turbines, tanks, and other irregular surfaces. The pads are flexible and vibration resistant and can be used with equipment that is horizontally or vertically mounted or that is difficult to access.
Any high-temperature piping or equipment should be insulated to reduce heat loss, reduce emissions, and improve safety. As a general rule, any surface that reaches temperatures greater than 120°F should be insulated to protect personnel. Insulating pads can be easily removed for periodic inspection or maintenance, and replaced as needed. Insulating pads can also contain built-in acoustical barriers to help control noise.
Operation
Example: Using the table above, calculate the annual fuel and dollar savings from installing a 1-inch thick insulating pad on an uninsulated 6-inch gate valve in a 250 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) saturated steam line (406°F). Assume continuous operation with natural gas at a boiler efficiency of 80% and a fuel price of $4.50 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).
Annual Fuel Savings = 5,992 Btu/hr x 8,760 hours/year x 1/0.80 = 65.6 MMBtu/year
Annual Dollar Savings = 65.6 MMBtu/year x $4.50/MMBtu = $295 per 6-inch gate valve
More Information
Manufacturers and Vendors
Valley Group of Companies
Telephone: 989-799-9669
Fax: 989-799-9184
Web site www.valleygroup-inc.com
Source: DOE “Improving Steam System Performance: A Sourcebook for Indus