“Thermal Insulation for Buildings, Pipe and Mechanical Equipment”, a Complication

This month’s (February 2019) Plumbing Engineer magazine featured an article discussing insulation engineering considerations.  The general topics covered are the major points that need to be addressed: (a) the basics (b) history of thermal insulation (c) how heat transfer works and (d) applicable codes and standards.  This makes it a great reference article.  An expert with ACS Engineering & Safety pointed out a nonlinear issue that he has experienced with thermal insulation and the primer used on carbon steel: conditions in which the coating chemically reacts with the material it is insulating at the temperature range of 100-140 F (metal surface temperature).  This was the situation that he discovered for causing corrosion on a vessel used in oil refining at a petrochemical plant.


Thermal Insulation for Buildings, Pipe and Mechanical Equipment
Exploring insulation materials and equipment.
January 31, 2019
Ron George