Mineral Wool Pipe Shell for Hot Gas Conduit Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulation elements for hot pipes, such as chimney pipes, often fail to provide adequate insulation against high temperatures, leading to potential damage to surrounding combustible materials like wooden beams, and do not effectively shield against heat spread and radiation.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated insulating material element with a coil-like pipe shell made from mineral wool, oriented in the circumferential direction to enhance thermal conduction resistance, combined with a base body and optional additional heat shields, to effectively reduce heat transfer and prevent excessive temperature exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If mineral darning wool is used for filling wall or ceiling openings around hot pipes, then the insulation effect is sufficient for fire protection, but the insulation properties are inadequate for high temperatures up to 800°C and the assembly is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation effect against high temperaturesVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating material element is pre-assembled with the pipe shell and insulating material in the factory before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for craftsmen to manually fill and assemble insulation materials on-site, ensuring consistent high-quality insulation while significantly reducing assembly time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the insulating material element is designed as a prefabricated component with a pipe shell, then the assembly is quick and easy, but the insulation effect against very high temperatures up to 800°C is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidinsulation effect against high temperatures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe shell is constructed from mineral wool with specifically oriented fibers arranged in a coil-like pattern. This composite structure combines the thermal insulation properties of mineral wool with a directional fiber orientation that enhances heat resistance, enabling the element to withstand temperatures up to 800°C while maintaining ease of assembly as a prefabricated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating material is arranged in a coil-like pattern with fibers oriented in the circumferential direction around the pipe shell. This local optimization of fiber orientation creates regions of enhanced thermal resistance where it is most needed - directly around the hot pipe - while maintaining overall structural integrity and insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional insulation elements are used, then fire protection requirements are met, but heat spread to surrounding combustible materials like wooden beams cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protectionVSAvoidheat spread to combustible materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coil-like arrangement of mineral wool fibers in the pipe shell changes the thermal conduction parameters by creating a directional structure with reduced radial heat transfer. This parameter modification enhances the insulation effect beyond standard fire protection requirements, preventing heat spread to surrounding combustible materials while maintaining compliance with fire safety standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution significantly reduces the risk of thermal damage to adjacent structures by providing enhanced insulation and heat shielding, maintaining safe surface temperatures and preventing damage or discoloration, even at high flue gas temperatures up to 800°C.

Implementation Method 1

the pipe shell has an increased thermal conduction resistance in the radial direction compared to a non-directional orientation of the material fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

Due to the orientation of the material fibers, the pipe shell has an increased thermal conduction resistance in the radial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP1878849B1Insulation element shaped as prefabricated building part with coiled pipe shell for a hot gas conduit.

Publication Date: 2012.03.21 SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER G H AG

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2a~2b

AI summary

A tube shell (3) made from a heat-proof synthetic material, preferably mineral wool and particularly rockwool, receives a live wire. The fibers of the tube shell are oriented two-dimensionally. The tube shell has a length that is larger than the distance between the front and back surfaces of a base (2). An independent claim is also included for an insulation system.