Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on Appropriate Insulation for Marine Applications
Marine applications differ from land-based applications in three main areas: Firstly, a ship engine is typically used for prime power, so it is running all the time and generating a lot of continuous heat, unlike a back-up power generator. Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, are the additional safety concerns that arise from being a sea-borne vessel—out on the water is not a place for heat-related issues. Thirdly, the engine room is often in tight quarters, increasing the likelihood that someone brushes up against a hot exhaust component.
For these reasons, Firwin typically recommends a thicker level of insulation than would suffice in standard non-marine power applications – usually 2-inch thick insulation blankets, as long as space allows. Extra care is also taken in designing the blankets to ensure that small gaps between components are covered. Firwin Hard Coat is also an excellent alternative to removable insulation blankets for marine applications, especially in cases where space constraints do not allow for thicker insulation.
For more information about insulation for marine applications, please contact us today.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on Alternative Fastening Techniques for Insulation Blankets
Over the years, Firwin has developed more than a few ways of building fasteners for its removable insulation blankets, but its traditional modus operandi has always been with stainless steel lacing wire. “We find that stainless steel lacing wire works best,” says Paul Herman, Firwin’s president. “But for certain applications, where speedy installation is key, or where the client will be removing the [insulation] blankets frequently to do maintenance, we will recommend alternatives.”
So what are some of the alternatives? Thus far, Firwin has developed and produced insulation blankets that can be fastened by way of straps, snaps, springs, even Velcro. All of these options provide lighter, cheaper, and more accessible means of opening and closing insulation blankets.
A recent challenge: Firwin was tasked to develop a new spring system for one of its clients. But first there were a few slight problems that required solving. As Brett Herman, Firwin’s V.P. of Sales & Customer Service, sums it up, “We have made spring fasteners available to our customers in the past… However, we used to find that the spring fasteners available ‘off the shelf’ just did not provide the proper fit that insulation blankets require. We knew that if we were to provide spring fasteners as a legitimate option, we would have to design one ourselves.”
That’s just what Firwin did. Working with a local spring manufacturer, Firwin retrofitted their fasteners so that they would snap off with ease, all the while maintaining their sturdiness over time and at high temperatures. Insulation blankets fitted with these new and customized spring fasteners (as well as all other fastening alternatives) are currently available from Firwin upon request.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on Insulation Outer Fabric: What are the Options?
An insulation blanket is composed of three main layers: An inner face, the insulation media itself, and the outer fabric. The inner face, known as the hot face, comes in direct contact with the hot component. Typically a stainless steel mesh, it holds the insulation in place. The outer fabric, known as the cold face, covers the insulation.
Outer fabric can be fluid-resistant or non-fluid resistant. Silicone or Teflon™ lamination endows the fabric with fluid-resistant properties, greater abrasion resistance, and the ability to withstand greater amounts of mechanical stress. Additionally, these types of fabrics are well suited to surviving the elements.
However, once temperatures reach above 500° F, the adhesives and coatings begin to break down, causing the material to lose integrity and become brittle. Some fabrics can continue to perform up to 600° F, at which point laminated fabrics maintain integrity while losing lamination. For extremely high-temperature applications, non-fluid resistant, woven, non-coated fabrics fare well. For applications that require fluid-resistance as well as high-temperature resistance, other materials must be considered.
Curious about what kind of outer fabric is right for your particular application? Read more to find out what other options are available.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on How to Install Firwin Removable Insulation Blankets
Last week, we discussed fastening techniques for insulation blankets. But what about proper installation? Combined with the right fastener, proper insulation installation is crucial in maximizing heat reduction. An improperly installed blanket can result in uncovered parts, heat leakage, or damage to the blanket—all of which can cost you time and money.
To help our customers get the most from our insulation, we’ve put together a basic guide to Firwin insulation blanket installation. This step-by-step guide, complete with pictures and diagrams, shows you exactly what do to and how to do it.
Firwin’s removable insulation blankets are available for many different applications, including manifolds, turbos, elbows, flanges, and flex joints, among others. Please contact Firwin directly if you require further instruction on installation for these or other components.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on Energy Savings with Removable Valve Insulation
Getting the most out of your pipeline applications requires attention to heat—and sources of heat loss. The more heat you lose the higher the cost, so identifying key areas for insulation can go a long way towards increasing efficiency. Valves, flanges, expansion joints, and other irregular surfaces are common culprits of heat leakage, and maintenance often damages existing insulation. To circumvent these issues, many industrial professionals turn to removable insulation to maximize heat retention and increase pipe performance.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends insulating any surface that reaches temperatures greater than 120° F, in order to protect personnel. The use of reusable insulation pads is pivotal in maintaining a safe environment: because the pads can be periodically removed for inspection and replaced as needed, they are an effective way to resolve current heat loss issues and prevent problems down the road.
Depending on valve size and operating temperatures, insulating valve covers can achieve impressive energy savings: the difference in heat loss between the un-insulated valve and the insulated valve operating at the same temperature. To get an idea of how much you can save, take a look at this helpful table from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Interested in removable valve insulation? Contact Firwin today to learn more about our hands-on service.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on An Inside Look: Are Insulation Surface Temperatures Safe?
How hot does the outer surface of an insulation blanket get? When thinking about insulation temperatures, it’s important to remember that fabrics do not conduct heat; metals do. As a result, the relative temperature of a fabric surface can be higher, and still be safe to touch. However, it wasn’t until 1998 that a formal differentiation was made between metal and other surface types. For both, 140° F (60° C) had been the accepted standard temperature.
The UL220 Specification for Stationary Engine Generator Assemblies, issued in September of 1998, was the first standard to quantify acceptable temperatures. Based on this specification, fabric surfaces, such as insulation blankets, can reach temperatures up to 203° F (95° C), and still be safe enough for casual contact.
For more information about safe contact temperatures for insulation materials and more, please see our Firwin Insulation Insights FAQ.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on Insulation Thickness: What’s Right for You?
Determining the right insulation blanket thickness for your application depends on a range of factors—ambient temperature, air flow velocity, material, emissivity, and more—and it’s not always obvious what level of thickness you need. While 1-inch blanket thickness typically suffices for most insulation applications, blankets can vary in thickness from ½ of an inch to 4 inches. Within that range, how do you know what’s right for you?
“It really comes down to the customer’s concern,” says Brett Herman, Firwin’s vice-president of engineering and customer service. “1-inch thick insulation is standard, and more than sufficient for most applications. If a customer has a particular need, be it keeping in as much heat as possible, or minimizing outer touch temperature or the heat in a room to a point below what a standard 1-inch blanket would accomplish, then we would look into thicker insulation.”
Thicker insulation, such as a 2-inch thick blanket, is more appropriate for power generation in prime power applications, where the engine is running constantly. With backup power applications, which only run periodically, 1-inch insulation is the norm.
Because each application must be evaluated on an individual basis, always seek professional advice. To learn more about insulation thickness levels and how to select what’s right for you, check our FAQ (see below) or contact Firwin today.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on Insulation Insights: 6 Tips for Proper Insulation Blanket Care
We’ve talked a lot about selecting the right insulation combination for a given project, but effective insulation depends on much more than materials: it depends on consistent and proper maintenance. Here are six easy tips to help you ensure proper insulation blanket performance and longevity.
1. The fastening system is more than suitable to hold the blankets in place. Care must be taken not to use brute strength when installing blankets. 2. For the best service, blankets should be kept clean. 3. Any chemicals that will cause aluminum or silicone coatings to deteriorate should be removed and cleaned off. 4. Should the blanket or insulation mat become saturated with oil, its natural “non-combustible” characteristics will no longer be effective and the blanket should be replaced. 5. Like all engine parts, blankets should be regularly inspected. 6. Care must be taken not to cut or damage the outer protective cover fabrics with sharp instruments.
For further information and care tips, please visit www.firwin.com or contact us directly.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on Green Insulation Spotlight: CMS Materials
As a result of legislation in Europe, developed in response to increasing awareness for health and safety regulations, a new group of fibers has been developed for temperature ranges higher than 1100⁰F (590⁰C). Produced in much the same way as mineral wool, these new fibers are made from calcium, magnesium, and silica, and are referred to as CMS fibers. CMS fibers are low bio-persistent (similar to glass), and form body-fluid soluble, non-ceramic, fiber blanket insulation. CMS fibers have been exonerated from all carcinogenic classification under Nota Q of directive 97/69 EC European Union. Because of this clearance, CMS fibers have replaced refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) for use within insulation across Europe. CMS insulation also exhibits better thermal conductivity characteristics than many RCF fibers, and is unaffected by incidental spills of oil or water. Thermal and physical properties are restored after drying. A greener, safer asbestos-alternative, CMS materials are widely used in a range of insulation applications.
To learn more about CMS fiber insulation and its applications, please contact Firwin or visit our site today.
Posted by Firwin on | Comments Off on 4 Asbestos Alternatives: Making the Right Choice
Although it’s common knowledge that asbestos poses numerous health risks, it has been difficult to find one fiber that covers the same temperature ranges and offers the same level of chemical resistance. These inherent characteristics established asbestos as the insulation of choice for engines, boilers, and piping, from the 1800s through the 1980s. As serious health risks were uncovered, asbestos was banned and the search for risk-free alternatives began.
Because no one single material adequately covers the full range of temperatures, from Arctic lows to the high temperatures experienced in engines of all types, it was necessary to develop a variety of materials to cover requirements for insulation purposes. Firwin has never used asbestos, and we’re dedicated to manufacturing the right material combination for a given project.
Below, we offer descriptions of several common alternative materials, and the appropriate applications for each.
1. Cellular glass. Impermeable to moisture, cellular glass is non-combustible and can’t burn. This material is often used in cryogenic insulation and some industrial applications.
2. Polystyrene and polyurethane. For low temperatures through 250 degrees F, foams, polystyrene, and polyurethane can often provide the solution. Environmental disposal must be taken into consideration.
3. Cellulose insulation. Often used in house insulation, cellulose insulation must be treated with fire retardants before use. When wet, it takes considerably longer to dry than fiberglass, and is not suitable for high temperature insulation.
4. Fiber insulation. Fiber insulation is made from melted minerals, which are then extruded to form fibers. These fibers can be processed into batts, blankets, boards, and preforms, as required by a particular application. Fibers used by reputable manufacturers feature a fiber diameter and length well in excess of ACGIH requirements. Because fibrous, non-organic materials can cause temporary discomfort and irritation, protective clothing should be worn. Types of fiber insulation include:
Fiberglass. Fiberglass is the preferred insulation for temperatures up to 1100 degrees F. In accordance with ACGIH requirements, the fibers are long and they dissolve in body fluids. House and building applications, boilers, and engine exhausts all benefit from various forms of fiberglass insulation.
Mineral wool and basalt wool. Made from melted volcanic rock and extruded into fiber, spun mineral wool is then chopped into separate fiber lengths and manufactured into blankets and boards. With a thermosetting resin to bind the fibers, these materials cover temperatures up to 1100 degrees F, much like fiberglass.
Ceramic wool. Ceramic wool insulation is suitable for insulating equipment at temperatures up to 2400 degrees F. Ceramic wool materials also exhibit better thermal conductivity characteristics than fiberglass.
As will all insulation materials, care must be taken in both selecting and using the above materials. Additional materials for higher temperature applications are also available—as is green insulation. Please check in next week to learn about the distinct advantages of going green.
