Energy & Resources: Cryogenic Applications
Innovative and Economical PUR and PIR Insulation Solutions
LNG & Petrochemical Sectors
Cryogenic Applications
Pacific Urethanes formulates UrePac® Cryo foam systems to be used in the manufacture of thermal insulation of industrial pipes, tanks, vessels and equipment used in cryogenic applications. Pacific Urethanes has a long history supplying UrePac® Cryo PIR & PUR foam systems in the LNG and Petrochemical industry sectors world-wide. These foam formulations have all been independently tested to comply with International Standards. Our technical experts are engaged in research and development providing innovative and sustainable technology to industry-wide thermal insulation solutions.
UrePac® Cryo closed-cell foam is used in applications that operate at temperatures that range from +70°C to -170°C. Formulations are available in a broad range of densities and compressive strengths amongst other properties, to ensure the performance characteristics of the product meet the unique requirements of the applications.
In particular, UrePac® Cryo provides exceptional thermal insulation, featuring one of the lowest k-factors among insulation materials used in cryogenic applications.
AT A GLANCE
Cryogenic Insulation Systems
Cryogenic Insulation limits the transmission of atmospheric heat in pipes or process equipment, maintaining the liquid or gas at its designated process temperature. The insulation must reliably prevent heat exchange between the pipes, tanks and plant structure. Cryogenic and below-ambient piping and tanks are insulated with closed-cell foam insulation, to ensure safe and efficient operations in these facilities.
Minimizing heat gain is particularly important in cryogenic applications like LNG. So, installing PUR/PIR closed cell foam, an insulation material that is both thermally efficient and moisture resistant, is critical.
AT A GLANCE
Cryogenic Insulation Systems
Cryogenic Insulation limits the transmission of atmospheric heat in pipes or process equipment, maintaining the liquid or gas at its designated process temperature. The insulation must reliably prevent heat exchange between the pipes, tanks and plant structure. Cryogenic and below-ambient piping and tanks are insulated with a closed-cell foam insulation, to ensure safe and efficient operations in these facilities.
Minimizing heat gain is particularly important in cryogenic applications like LNG. So, installing PUR/PIR closed-cell foam, an insulation material that is both thermally efficient and moisture resistant, is critical.
THE CHALLENGE
LNG Requirements
There has been an ongoing search for new energy supplies resulting in the global rise in demand for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This is because LNG is cheaper, energy efficient and has lower carbon emissions than coal fuels.
However LNG, predominantly methane, is a natural gas that requires liquefaction and vaporization. Since the liquefied temperature of natural gas is -162 °C at atmospheric pressure, maintaining the conversion from gas to liquid phase requires a High Thermal Performance Insulator.
Transport and storage of LNG generate its own set of complex challenges, such as preventing:
- energy losses through thermal inefficiencies
- freezing of valves
- surface icing
- flammability after vaporisation
CRYOGENIC APPLICATIONS – LNG
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WORKING TOWARDS ZERO GDP
Pacific Urethanes Innovative Technology
In the past, foam blowing agents (CFCs & HCFCs) that played an important role in enhancing the thermal insulation performance of Polyurethane foam, contributed to the depletion of the Ozone Layer. HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) were introduced and widely adopted as Polyurethane foam blowing agents to provide zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) while maintaining a high level of thermal insulation performance.
The emphasis now is on eliminating the GWP (Global Warming Potential) that is a feature of HFCs and the earlier generations of foam blowing agents. In this light, Pacific Urethanes is developing technology based on HFOs (Hydrofluoro-Olefins), which have minimal GWP.
An example of this technology is showcased in the cavity-filling product UrePac® Cryo LD PIR 50, specially developed for the North American market where HFCs are now banned in LNG applications.
WIND | SOLAR | HYDROGEN
Future Sustainable Technologies
As the world transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources in the coming decades, technology provided by Pacific Urethanes continues to play an important role in providing:
Composite Materials for the Manufacture of Wind Turbines | Insulation Components in Solar Panels | Insulation to Green Hydrogen Plants
UrePac® Cryo
Cryogenic Insulation Applications
CRYOGENIC INSULATION APPLICATIONS
UrePac® Cryo – HD PUF Pipe Supports
Insulated pipe supports provide insulation in the support area where regular pipe insulation cannot be installed. The formulation is optimised to ensure that the pipe support can both carry the load and allow the necessary movement at each support point. These pipe supports may be manufactured at densities from 160 kg/m3 to 500 kg/m3, moulded by standard foam dispensing equipment or hand-mixed and poured. They may also be cut from a poured foam block. These formulations are water-blown, meaning that they have zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and minimal Global Warming Potential (GWP).
| SPECIFICATIONS | UrePac® Cryo HDPUF 160 |
|---|---|
| Nominal (Kg/m3) | 160 |
| Compressive Strength (Mpa) @+23C | 2.00 |
| Compressive Strength (Mpa) @ -170C | 4.00 |
| 180 days Aged K Value @ 20C W/m.K | 0.028 |
| 180 days Aged K Value @-170C W/m.K | 0.019 |
| SPECIFICATIONS | UrePac® Cryo HDPUF 224 |
|---|---|
| Nominal (Kg/m3) | 224 |
| Compressive Strength (Mpa) @+23C | 3.00 |
| Compressive Strength (Mpa) @ -170C | 7.00 |
| 180 days Aged K Value @ 20C W/m.K | 0.034 |
| 180 days Aged K Value @-170C W/m.K | 0.024 |
CRYOGENIC APPLICATIONS: INSULATION
UrePac® Cryo – Pour-In-Place Cavity Filling Applications
Valves need to be insulated to prevent freezing and remain operational. In the past, such valves would be insulated in a time-consuming manual operation. UrePac® Cryo low-density PIR formulations allow the valve and other items such as flanges to be insulated quickly and simply in-situ. These lower density formulations (40 – 60 kg/m3), normally used to fill cavities such as valve boxes and flanges, are processed at the pipeline site. The pour-in-place formulations are HFC-blown, therefore having zero ODP.
| SPECIFICATIONS | UrePac® Cryo LDPIR 50 |
|---|---|
| Nominal (Kg/m3) | 50 |
| Compressive Strength (Mpa) @+23C | 200 |
| Compressive Strength (Mpa) @ -170C | 280 |
| 180 days Aged K Value @ 20C W/m.K | 0.027 |
| 180 days Aged K Value @-170C W/m.K | 0.016 |
CRYOGENIC INSULATION APPLICATIONS
UrePac® Cryo – PIR Block Foam
UrePac® Cryo formulations can be used to make PIR foam blocks which are then cut to pipe section or sheet form for pipe, tank and other technical insulation applications.
CRYOGENIC INSULATION APPLICATIONS
UrePac® Cryo – Pre-Insulated Pipes
Instead of taking pre-cut pipe insulation to the pipeline installation locations, pipes can be insulated in the factory using UrePac® Cryo PUR & PIR formulations – either spray-applied or by rotationally cast methods, under controlled process conditions. In this way the pipe is delivered to the pipeline locations pre-insulated, with the subsequent labour cost savings and efficiencies.
BENEFITS & DESIGN FEATURES
UrePac® Cryo – Thermal Insulation Foam Solutions
Benefits and design features to be taken into account when selecting UrePac® Cryo as your thermal insulation foam solution.
Available as PUR or PIR where specifications call for enhanced fire performance.