Manufacturing and Installation of Insulated Pipes or Elements Thereof

Abstract

Insulated pipe systems or assemblies include a particulate, composite or monolithic insulating aerogel material. Techniques for installing or manufacturing such systems or assemblies are described, as are components useful in the installation or manufacture processes.

1 . A system comprising:
 a. an inner pipe structure;   b. an outer pipe structure   c. an insert having a plurality of holes for directing gas at a moving surface of at least one of the inner pipe structure and the outer pipe structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is divided in chambers. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pipe structure includes an inner pipe and an insulating material at an outer surface of the inner pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer pipe structure includes an outer pipe and an insulating material at an inner surface of the outer pipe. 
     
     
         5 . An insulated pipe structure comprising:
 a. a pipe having an outer surface;   b. an insulating material wrapped over the outer surface to form an insulating layer; and   c. at least one layer surrounding an exterior surface of the insulating layer.   
     
     
         6 . The insulated pipe structure of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one layer is formed by extrusion. 
     
     
         7 . The insulated pipe structure of  claim 5 , further comprising a protective layer at an outer surface of the at least one layer. 
     
     
         8 . The insulated pipe structure of  claim 5 , wherein the insulating material includes aerogel. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method for preparing a pipe-in-pipe assembly, the method comprising
 expanding a flow pipe to reduce an annular space between the flow pipe and an outer pipe, thereby compressing an insulating material present in the annular space.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising introducing the insulating material into the annular space. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the insulating material is a particulate or composite material that includes aerogel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the flow pipe is expanded by a tubing expander or by a swaging tool. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the flow pipe is fabricated from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the flow pipe is expanded using a heated expanding tool. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising contacting the heated flow pipe with a cooling mandrel. 
     
     
         17 . A structure for a deploying an insulating material in a pipe-in-pipe assembly, the structure comprising:
 a. a container housing the insulating material in a compressed state; and   b. a sheath surrounding an outer surface of the container and attached to the container at discrete locations.   
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 17 , wherein the sheath is attached to the container at discrete locations including edges of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 17 , wherein the container is a half shell container. 
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein the sheath is dimensioned for limited expansion of the insulating material upon breaching of the container 
     
     
         21 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method for protecting an insulated pipe during welding, the method comprising:
 wrapping a pouch including one or more heat distribution panels around a container insulating a pipe.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the pouch is fabricated from one or more heat resistant materials 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the container includes aerogel material. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more heat distribution panels are disposed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, said sides being fabricated from different materials. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more heat distribution panels are disposed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, said sides being fabricated from the same material. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more heat distribution panels are disposed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, at least one of said sides extending beyond the one or more heat distribution panels.