Protective sheath for structural components

Abstract

A method to dissipate heat build-up in a structural component is disclosed. In one embodiment, the structural component is a composite pipe for carrying a hot fluid, e.g., petroleum products. The method comprises providing a protective sheath disposed around the structural component and forming an air space between the structural component and the sheath. The sheath has at least two gaps on its surface, with the gaps being sufficiently spaced apart to allow air flowing through the air space from one gap to another to dissipate heat build-up from the hot fluid contained within the structural component. In one embodiment, an intumescent material is applied near the gaps, which material expands when heated to a temperature in a fire to effectively close the gaps and protect the structural component from the fire.

1 . A method to dissipate heat build-up in a structural component carrying a petroleum product, the method comprising:
 providing a structural component for containing the petroleum product, the structural component having an outer surface area;   providing a protective sheath disposed around the structural component to create an air space of at least ⅛″ between the outer surface area of the structural component and the protective sheath, the protective sheath having at least two openings, a first opening near or at a bottom side of the structural component and a second opening near or at a top side of the structural component; and   dissipating heat build-up in the structural component with a chimney effect from air drawn in through the first opening of the protective sheath, passing through the air space over the structural component and exiting out the second opening of the protective sheath.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the structural component is a composite pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the protective sheath around the composite pipe creates an air space of at least ½″ thickness between the protective sheath and the composite pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first opening and the second opening is at least ⅛″ wide and runs at least one half the length of the protective sheath. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 placing a plurality of spacers in between the protective sheath and the structural component.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the protective sheath is constructed of metallic sheet material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protective sheath comprises at least two opposing seams each shaped at an angle such that the opposing shaped seams in an adjacent position defines an open space forming at least one of the openings. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protective sheath comprises at least two opposing seams, a first seam and a second seam, with the first seam comprising a plurality of spaced-apart tabs and the second seam comprising a plurality of corresponding spaced slots, and wherein the spaced apart tabs are configured to be extended through the spaced slots and bent back to secure the protective sheath around the structural component. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protective sheath comprises at least two opposite seams, wherein the opposite seams overlap forming at least one of the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying a sufficient amount of intumescent material in an area adjacent to at least one of the openings for the intumescent material to expand when heated to a temperature between 300 to 1200° F. to effectively close the at least one of the openings.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intumescent material is selected from an adhesive, a sealant, and a putty. 
     
     
         12 . A method to dissipate heat build-up in a composite pipe carrying a petroleum product, the method comprising:
 providing two half-pipe sections conforming to the composite pipe, each section having two opposite seams shaped at an angle;   disposing the half pipe sections around the composite pipe with the opposite shaped seams in adjacent position define a first gap and a second gap running longitudinally along the composite pipe;   fastening the half-pipe sections at the opposite shaped seams to form a protective sheath disposed around the composite pipe defining an air space between the composite pipe and the protective sheath;   dissipating the heat build-up in the composite pipe with a chimney effect from air drawn in through the first gap and passing through the air space over the composite pipe and exiting out the second gap.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 placing a plurality of spacers in between the protective sheath and the composite pipe.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 applying an intumescent material onto at least one opposite shaped seam defining the first gap and at least one opposite shaped seam defining the second gap;   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the intumescent material is selected from an adhesive, a sealant, and a putty. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the two half-pipe sections are constructed of a metallic sheet material. 
     
     
         17 . A method to provide fire protection for a composite pipe carrying a petroleum product, the method comprising:
 providing two half-pipe sections conforming to the composite pipe, each section having two opposite seams shaped at an angle;   disposing the half pipe sections around the composite pipe with the opposite shaped seams in adjacent position define a first gap and a second gap running laterally to the composite pipe;   applying an intumescent material onto at least one opposite shaped seam defining the first gap and at least one opposite shaped seam defining the second gap;   fastening the half-pipe sections at the opposite shaped seams to form a protective sheath disposed around the composite pipe and define an air space of at least ⅛″ between the composite pipe and the protective sheath;   wherein the intumescent material expands when heated to a temperature in a fire at an elevated temperature between 300 to 1200° F. to effectively close the gaps and protect the composite pipe from the fire.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first gap and the second gap is at least ⅛″ wide. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the air space between the protective sheath and the structural component is at least ½″. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the intumescent material has an effective thermal dimension of at least 3 to 15 of initial dimension prior to being heated in a fire. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the intumescent material is selected from an adhesive, a sealant, and a putty.