Thermal Insulation Vs Piping Stress
Posted: 20 May 2010, 09:30
How can V interrelate Thermal Insulation with Piping Stress Analysis:?: 
?
?Thermal insulation in addition to other roles of preventing undesired heat transfer and injuries to personnel working nearby works to a great deal in reducing piping stresses through isolating the piping system from weather effects. In changing environments especially during rain, unwanted stresses generate in piping systems.
Piping systems working at high temperatures are prone to damage with changes in atmospheric conditions. Considering a pipe with a service at 300 deg C without insulation if face a rain shower would result in quenching of top surface may be to a temperature lesser than 200 deg C while the inner surface would still be at 300 deg C. This would cause undesired thermal stresses eventually leading to thermal bowing. This phenomenon is less known but its effect cannot be ignored as it has a potential of damaging the piping supports and other small connections.
Other than the atmospheric conditions, thermal stress can also effect if hot wall and cold wall connections are not designed properly. This can be related to those areas where insulated pipe is to be connected to pipes / vessels having refractory or not insulation inside. Special attention shall be given to stainless steel materials because of higher coefficient of thermal expansion.