Acoustic Insulation

Acoustic Insulation
Nitrile Rubber sheeting
• Overlaps sealed with adhesive
• Overlapping segments cut from templates used on bends. Screws may be
permitted for cladding on bends.
• Metal cladding (usually of thicker gauge) secured with bands as vibration
may shake rivets/screws loose.
Application of Insulation for Acoustic Cold (AC)

Metal cladding
• Normally the same as for Cold Conservation i.e. no screws/rivets
• Screws could be permitted for bends and tees etc. see spec.
• Usually foil vapour barriers
 Offshore Material Considerations

• Non-combustible
• No release of toxic or corrosive gases during a fire
• Water repellent
• Mineral wool should not be used where sprinkler or deluge systems
exist
 Liquid absorption
calcium silicate 400%
Liquid absorption
mineral wool 600%
 Consequences

• Considerable increase in weight and effects on load bearing

structure/ craneage during refit work/maintenance
• Reduced thermal efficiency
• Corrosion under insulation
• Potential for “Oxidative Self Heating” with hydrocarbons
(Spontaneous Combustion)
 Insulation of flammable liquids

• Insulation materials that absorb fluids can reduce the flashpoint and
present a fire hazard.
• Non absorbent material may be chosen for toxic substances to
prevent potential build up under insulation.
 Oxidative Self Heating

• Many insulation materials can wick and absorb organic fluids into their
matrix
• Fluid is then heated by the vessel/pipe
• Fluid oxidises and produces heat which is retained within insulation !!
• Can lead to spontaneous combustion
• Cellular glass is non absorbant
• No wicking
Cellular glass non wicking
 Iron (and Steel)

• Iron and steel are extracted from Iron Ore

• This exists in the Earths crust in an oxidised form known as Iron “Oxide”
• Iron oxide is stable and inert
• In balance with the environment.
• Little tendency to change or combine with other materials.
Iron Ore (Iron Oxide)
• Iron oxide has very strong bonds between the Iron (Fe) and Oxygen (O)
atoms
• Separating the iron from the oxygen requires an enormous amount of
energy
• Iron Ore (Fe2O3) is smelted in a furnace with Coke/Carbon (C) at 1500-
1600ºC
Iron/Steel Manufacture
• Input of heat energy breaks bonds between Iron(Fe) and Oxygen (O)
atoms
• Oxygen (O) bonds with the Carbon (C) to form Carbon Dioxide gas (CO2)
• Iron (Fe) is extracted from its metal ore
• Tremendous energy from the heat input in the furnace is absorbed by
the metal
• The extracted Iron contains energy and is unstable !!!!
 Metal Extraction and Refining
Unstable

Stable
 Corrosion

• Corrosion is often described as :

• “A degradation of a material, usually a metal, due to an
electrochemical reaction with its environment”
• “A reversion of a metal back into its stable ore-like state”
• It occurs at the microscopic level
• Results in metal loss and loss of strength
 Key Words

• Metal
• Environment
• Electro-Chemical Reaction
• Degradation
• Iron and Steel created by heat removing oxygen from the iron ore
• A useful metal is created.
• The metal is now “active” and in a high energy state .
• Metal seeks to return to its “stable low energy state”…………Iron Oxide
• Metal does this by seeking to rebond with oxygen as this is one of the
most abundant elements in the environment.
• Rebonding with Oxygen creates “Iron Oxide”….Rust……!!
• However a “medium” is required for this reaction to take place.
• This medium is Water (Electrolyte)
• KEEP THINGS DRY
The Corrosion Cycle
 Corrosion Products (Rust)

• Corrosion products are less dense

and hence larger in volume than
the original metal as they are
some form of compound….metal
+ oxygen (Oxide)
• Rusting leads to coating failures
due to expansion under coatings :
cracking/adhesion loss of the
coating
 C.U.I.

• Corrosion under insulation. (C.U.I.)

• What is it.
• How it is caused.
• Effects of C.U.I.
• How it can be prevented.
 Corrosion under Insulation (CUI)

• Caused by aerated water at the metal surface where dissolved oxygen in

water increases corrosion rates
• Where does water come from?
• Rain, wash down, Fog, Steam discharge, condensation, deluge systems.
• How does water get there ?