3647 -- Innovative Concept to Prevent Moisture Formation and Icing of Cold Pipe Insulation PDF

Introduces an innovative concept for continuous removal of condensed water vapour from an insulated cold pipe surface. The concept is based on the wicking action of a fabric wrapped around the pipe and extended through a longitudinal slot in the tubular insulation and adhered to the impermeable insulation jacket from which the moisture will evaporate to the ambient air. Results from laboratory testing are given, and they show that the concept works on pipes above freezing with mineral wool type insulation. The concept may also be of interest for flexible closed-cell insulation. Briefly describes how the concept can be adapted to below-freezing piping.

KEYWORDS: moisture, ice prevention, pipe insulation, pipes, freezing, condensation, water vapour, insulating jackets, laboratory testing, thermal insulation, mineral wool.