Insulated Pipe Foam Layer for Vacuum Panel Lifetime
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum insulation panels used in insulated pipes for heating networks experience accelerated aging and brittleness due to high temperatures, leading to leakage and loss of insulation capacity when exposed to temperatures up to 90-95°C.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a discrete foam layer between the inner pipe and the vacuum insulation panel to reduce the surface temperature of the panel to 60-70°C, thereby preventing aging and maintaining stable insulation properties over time, with the foam layer being flexible to allow for temperature drop and flexibility in pipe construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If vacuum insulation panels are used directly on inner pipes in heating networks, then insulation performance is improved, but the panels experience accelerated aging and brittleness due to high temperatures up to 90-95°C
Solution Approach 1:
A foam layer is introduced as an intermediary thermal barrier between the inner pipe and the vacuum insulation panel. This foam layer mediates the thermal interaction, allowing the VIP to function effectively for insulation while protecting it from direct exposure to high temperatures that cause aging and brittleness.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation system uses a composite structure combining foam material and vacuum insulation panel materials. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function - the foam handles high-temperature thermal management while the VIP provides superior insulation performance.
2Reliability
If vacuum insulation panels are exposed to high temperatures of 90-95°C, then insulation capacity is maintained initially, but accelerated aging occurs leading to leakage and loss of vacuum
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer serves as a protective cushion applied beforehand to shield the vacuum insulation panel from high-temperature damage. This preventive measure reduces the temperature exposure of the VIP to 60-70°C, preventing accelerated aging and extending the panel's operational lifetime to up to 40 years.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a foam layer is added between the inner pipe and vacuum insulation panel, then temperature exposure of the panel is reduced to 60-70°C extending lifetime, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is implemented as a flexible, thin protective layer that can be easily applied to the pipe surface. This flexible implementation minimizes the added complexity while effectively reducing temperature exposure and extending the insulated pipe system's lifetime.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration extends the lifetime of vacuum insulation panels and insulated pipes to up to 40 years with consistent insulation performance, preventing leakage and maintaining insulation capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a discrete first foam layer and a flexible vacuum insulation panel wrapped around said first foam layer
Implementation Method 2
vacuum insulation panels are used as pipe insulation in a heating network
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an insulated pipe and use thereof in systems that require insulated pipes, such as heating systems. The present invention is based on the use, in an insulated pipe, of a foam layer between an inner pipe of said insulated pipe and a vacuum insulation panel surrounding said inner pipe for conferring extended lifetime of the vacuum insulation panel and therewith maintenance of stable insulation values of said insulated pipe in time.