Cold and Cryogenic Pipe Insulation / Pittsburgh Corning FOAMGLAS® Insulation

Examples:  Liquified Natural Gas, Ethylene, Anhydrous Ammonia

 
 
Please note:  Nobody knows cold and cryogenic insulation systems like Pittsburgh Corning.  When designing for cryogenic service, in addition to the information provided on this page, please consult with Pittsburgh Corning's technical services regarding current guidelines, standards, techniques, and credentials.  Click here to contact technical services for more detailed information regarding cryogenic service.
 
 

 

 

 

 

FOAMGLAS® Insulation is frequently used in applications with operating temperatures below ambient, cold and cryogenic processes that require precise temperature controls in service.  In low temperature service, water vapour can enter permeable insulations and condenses, which causes a build-up of water and/or ice, drastically lowering performance.

 

When this type of insulation corruption occurs, thermal efficiency is lost and energy consumption increases dramatically. Increasing energy consumption due to a loss of thermal efficiency can be avoided by using the appropriate insulating material and system.

 

The smallest margin for error exists in cryogenic processes.  Significant negative effects can occur including operating cost increases, decreases in process control and product quality.  Ice build up only accelerates these failure points. 

 

Cryogenic processes involve the gas processing, refining, petrochemical and specialty chemical industries.  These include etylene, glycol brine, refrigerants, LNG, LOX, and L N2.  Cryogenic facilities present additional challenges in that many of the products contained in the systems can be highly combustible, if not properly maintained.

 

Because of the above process control and fire issues, FOAMGLAS® cellular glass insulation is the obvious and best choice.  It is 100% glass and impermeable to moisture in any form.  It will not wick flammable liquids either.  Being glass, it cannot burn and is non-combustible.

 
 
Click on each of these project profile documents to see why FOAMGLAS® Insulation is the best choice for cold and cryogenic service, providing protection from fire hazards and ice buildup, both of which are enemies of process performance.
 
 

FOAMGLAS® Insulation is the choice in Trinidad for optimum performance in LNG service. High heat and humidity pose significant ice build up issues and loss of thermal performance, which are mimimized with the FOAMGLAS® Insulation solution.

 

 

The Isle of Grain LNG plant had a multitude of potential problems which have been solved with the 100% FOAMGLAS® Insulation solutions.

 

Snovit LNG is a notable project in a near Arctic climate in which many logistics problems were solved utilizing the FOAMGLAS® Insulation system.